National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised/Informal Sector claims that the Ministry of Labour has requested them to draft the much debated and much awaited Bill for the Unorganised Sector workers. According to the sources from the Commission, the Bill will be drafted in consultation with all the stake holders. The Commission members will be visiting all the states before drafting the Bill.

 

National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised/Informal Sector an advisory body and a watchdog for the informal sector was constituted by the UPA government to recommend measures necessary for bringing about improvement in the productivity of these enterprises, generation of large scale employment opportunities on a sustainable basis, particularly in rural areas, enhancing the competitiveness of the sector in the merging global environment.

 

According to the sources from the Commission, the current Bill is inadequate on several aspects. The Commission is working on the Bill to radically restructure it. In place of proposed single Bill, the Commission will be drafting three different Bills:- On Social Security for Unorganised Sector Workers; on Employment Conditions and for Agricultural Workers.

 

There are various draft bill in front of the Commission to refer before finalizing the Bills. National Centre for Labour, National Campaign Committee for Unorganised Sector Workers (NCC-USW), SEWA, and even the recommendations and suggestions of central trade unions, will have to be reflected upon before drafting the Bill. Though officially not asked, the National Advisory Council also has prepared a bill on social security.

 

Meanwhile, a senior Labour Ministry official denies the Commissions claim by saying that no such order has been issued by the ministry. According to the sources from the Labour Ministry, the Bill which they have drafted has been send to various stakeholders for comments and suggestions. The ministry has sent a copy to the said Commission only for their comments and recommendations. A copy of the draft bill prepared by the Ministry is available in their website. (www.labour.nic).

 

This conflict between the Labour Ministry and Commission could be a communication gap. But whether the Commission will draft the Bill without diluting the existing rights of the unorganised sector workers and thereby vouch for their protection is the issue that has to be dealt with.