BEWG discusses social security pact, employment generation

The first-ever meeting of BRICS Employment Working Group (BEWG) here discussed crucial issues including those on entering Social Security Agreement (SSA) between the member-countries and employment generation, Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said today.
"On Social Security Agreement...We already have agreement with 19 countries including Malaysia and Singapore (with whom) we have bilateral agreement. Now we also dicussed about BRICS countries having agreement with India on Social Security so that our migrant workers can be benefitted," Dattatreya, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, told reporters.
The two-day meeting of BEWG to shape the agenda for labour and employment track in BRICS, which concluded here today, saw deliberations including on 'Employment Generation for Inclusive Growth,' 'Possible Social Security agreements amongst BRICS nations' and 'Networking of Labour Institutes of BRICS nations'.

"A broad consensus on these issues was reached during these deliberations which will get fed into the forthcoming BRICS Labour and Employment Ministerial declaration under the Indian Presidency, during the meeting of BRICS Labour and Employment Ministerial scheduled to be held on September 27-28 at Agra," Dattatreya said.
This meeting will prepare the technical papers and many of discussions will take place at ministerial meetings in September in Agra, he said, adding "we, in India, have PM Rojgar Yojana.. We can exchange that type of programmes (best practices) with other countries."
The government is committed for job security, wage security and social security for workers and "our top priority is employment generation," Dattatreya said, adding "I am happy more and more investments are coming to India from different parts of the world."

He further said a model law that allows shops, malls and other establishments employing 10 or more workers, to operate throughout the year received Cabinet approval recently, which will give them the flexibility to open and shut at their convenience.
"It also provides for women to be employed on night shifts with adequate safety and security. The model Bill once adopted by states is likely to boost job opportunities, without compromising on salaries, social protection and safety to the workers. It has been sent to all state governments and now it is upto state governments to implement," the minister added.