The discussion on a bill to ensure social security to unorganised workers on Tuesday saw members of Lok Sabha pressing for a check on lay-offs due to the economic meltdown and setting up of a board to look into the specific needs of the sector.
CPI-M- MP from Serampore, West Bengal, Santasri Chatterjee said the government should understand that the Unorganised Workers' Social Security Bill in its present form would not be able to fulfil the aspirations of the workers in the sector.
"We have suggested that a board must be formed not merely advisory in nature but also with recommendatory powers," the member said.
BJP MP Satyanarayan Jatiya said 94 per cent of the workforce falls under the unorganised sector and there was a need to set up a mechanism to look into their specific needs.
Devendra Prasad Yadav said more than 56 per cent of the unorganised labourers face lack of balanced diet and other problems.
Among the suggestions given by him were allowing opening of bank accounts at zero balance and providing government facilities at the rural level.
A Krishnaswamy said the Centre can incorporate provisions of a similar Act prevailing in Tamil Nadu. He read out certain provisions of the Act which he felt could be implemented by the Centre.
Chandrakant Khaire (Shiv Sena) said there was an urgent need to check increasing lay-offs in the unorganised sector due to economic meltdown. He mentioned the case of an airline which had announced removal of a number of employees and said the government should take steps to stop this.
