Smart card for unorganised sector workers to be launched by PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon launch the UWIN (Unorganised Workers Identification Number) smart card for the benefit of those working in the unorganised sector, Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said on Friday.

Coimbatore: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon launch the UWIN (Unorganised Workers Identification Number) smart card for the benefit of those working in the unorganised sector, Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said Friday.

"Of the total workforce in India, 93 per cent, nearly 40 crore, is in the unorganised sector and the UWIN card will benefit the workers in various fields such as construction," he told reporters here.

"All the four social security schemes of the Centre -- Jan Dhan, Jan Suraksha, Jeevan Bima and Atal Pension Yojanas -- will be covered under this card," he said, adding it would be "portable as a worker can avail EPF and SI benefit even if he migrates to another city".

In order to ensure transparency and accountability in the payment of Provident Fund and pension, the ministry had come out with Universal Account Number for the workers, which was linked to Adhar and bank account, and they would get message about the payments.

On the process of amending labour law, the Minister, who was on a transit visit here, said it was an ongoing process and he had already held 12 tripartite meetings in this regard.

When asked about opposition from major trade unions and political parties, Dattatreya said that a consensus will be arrived, since the new labour law was "totally pro-poor" and would benefit the workers.

"The labour ministers of BRICS Countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- will meet in Agra on September 27 and 28, during which issues like UWIN and other labour-related issues will be discussed," he said.