Centre to extend ESIC, EPFO benefits to Anganwadi, ASHA workers
The Union minister added that the government was committed to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures and that it will talk to other political parties on the issue.
In Short
- Committed to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures: Union minister.
- Those indulging in gender punishment will be given tough punishment: Bandaru Dattatreya.
- Bandaru Dattatreya was speaking at a conference on the eve of International Women's Day.
Benefits under the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and Employees' Provident Fund organisation (EPFO) would soon be extended to the Anganwadi, ASHA and mid-day meal scheme workers in the country, Bandaru Dattatreya, Union Labour Minister said on Tuesday.
The minister was speaking at a conference on the eve of International Women's Day. Dattatreya said that 90 per cent of all Anganwadi workers, ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activists) workers, mid-day meal workers are women and the idea is to give them ESIC and EPFO.
"They have no social security for them. I have formed a committee comprising Women and Child Development ministry, HRD ministry, our (Labour) ministry and Health ministry. I am pleased to tell you that Finance Minister has also agreed to this," he said.
The Union minister added that the government was committed to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures and that it will talk to other political parties on the issue.
"Orders have been given to provide 33 per cent reservation in recruiting police constables and seven states have come forward to implement it," he said.
GRATUITY
Dattatreya said that the gratuity they get is Rs 10 lakh. "I am going to increase Rs 20 lakh for all. I have done the tri-partite meeting. In the tri-partite meeting, employer and employee, both of them are agreeing."
The minister asserted that those indulging in gender punishment will be given tough punishment.
Dattatreya added that he would recommend providing loans to women for procuring software tools to work from home. He also said that he would work out on assuring same level of employment for women after maternity.