Modi to soon launch smart card for benefit of over 40 crore workers

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

Mr Dattatreya said, all the four social security schemes of the Centre -- Jan Dhan, Jan Suraksha, Jeevan Bima and Atal Pension Yojana -- will be covered under this card. He said, UWIN will be portable as a worker can avail EPF and ESI benefits 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 will get message about the payments.

On the process of amending labour law, the Minister said, it is an ongoing process and he has already held 12 tripartite meetings in this regard. When asked about opposition from major trade unions and political parties, Mr Dattatreya said that a consensus will be built, since the new labour law is totally pro-poor and will benefit the workers.

He said 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.