Kharge calls for cooperation between workers, employers

Cooperation among workers, employers, governments and civil society can ensure a solid foundation for the nation, Minister for Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge said Wednesday.

Kharge said May 1, which is the International Labour Day, reminds that only with the mutual cooperation of workers, employers, governments and the civil society, a solid foundation can be laid in building the nation.

He said in the recent past the government has undertaken several important measures for improving the working conditions and welfare of the working class.

Kharge said one of the welfare measures for workers was the health insurance scheme for the poor, titled Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), which has become operational from 2008.

The scheme envisages provision of health insurance to unorganised workers with smart card based cashless hospitalisation facilities worth up to Rs.30,000.

As on March 31, 2013, more than 3.44 crore cards have been issued, more than 11.00 crore members are expected to be benefited from this scheme, and 51.68 lakh people have availed of the hospitalisation benefits.

The coverage of RSBY has been extended to street vendors, construction workers, beedi workers, domestic workers, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme workers and licensed railway porters, he said.