Comprehensive Social Security Scheme for Workers

Present social security schemes in India suffer from certain drawbacks such as uneven scope, inadequacy of benefits, duplication and overlapping provisions. There are different administrative authorities for implementation and enforcement. The National Commission on Labour, 1969 and 2002 has recommended need of comprehensive social security plan in order to overcome difficulties faced by the workers and for the betterment of the social security schemes. The Study Group (1957-58) appointed by the Government of India had recommended for integration of various social security measures with a unified scheme of administration and contribution, providing for medical care and coverage against sickness, maternity, employment disablement, old age and death.

No progress has been made on the subject even after 37 years of the report of National Commission on Labour, 1969 and the Recommendations of the Study Group, 1957-58. Most of the existing social security schemes are inadequate and unsuitable for the present globalization and liberalization era in this country. Moreover, political leaders lack political will to take appropriate measures in formulating the comprehensive social security scheme. A number of parties ruled the nation but none of them formulated any legislation based on the recommendations of the committees or commissions on the subject. Further, the issue could not gather movement due to lack of support and initiative from the leading trade unions in the country. According to the need of the workers a model bill on the comprehensive social security scheme is proposed to provide for smooth administrative function. Before formulating the proposed scheme, opinions of the employers, employees, office bearer of the trade unions, professionals in the related fields and the executives are taken into consideration.

The book is a substantial addition to the literature in the field of social security in India. Students would find the book very useful for their critical understanding of the social security schemes not only at the national level but also at international level. Basic objectives of the book are to explain the nuances and intricacies of social security protections. This book unveils the nature of future action to be initiated by the policy-makers towards comprehensive social security scheme in India.