Seminar on Social Security for Informal Workers
The Indian Ministry of Labour and Employment is set to host a significant international seminar on January 20-21, 2025, in New Delhi. Titled “Formalization and Social Security Coverage for Workers in the Informal Sector: Challenges and Innovations,” this two-day event aims to address the pressing issues faced by informal workers. Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate the seminar, joined by Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, and Secretary (Labour & Employment), Ms. Sumita Dawra. This gathering will bring together over 150 participants, including policymakers, social security administrators, and experts from various international organizations. The seminar seeks to foster dialogue and share innovative strategies for extending social security coverage to informal workers, a group that often lacks adequate protection and benefits.
Objectives of the Seminar
The primary goal of the seminar is to enhance the capacity of stakeholders in extending social protection to informal workers. The discussions will focus on various pathways and strategies to promote formalization in the informal sector. This includes exploring incentives for employers to provide social security benefits, transforming social security delivery systems, and utilizing digital solutions for better outreach. The seminar will also address the challenges faced by vulnerable groups, including women and those in difficult-to-cover occupations.
Sessions will delve into the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the context of social security. Health and medical care insurance coverage will also be a key topic. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the seminar aims to create a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand and develop actionable solutions that can be implemented across the Asia-Pacific region.
Knowledge Exchange and Best Practices
A significant aspect of the seminar will be the exchange of knowledge and experiences among participants. Technical discussions will highlight best practices from various countries, showcasing successful initiatives in social protection and labour welfare. India’s landmark initiatives, such as the e-Shram portal and the National Career Service portal, will be presented as examples of effective measures to enhance social security for workers.
The seminar will also spotlight the progress made by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) in advancing social security for formal workers. By sharing these experiences, the seminar aims to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders to extend social protection to informal workers, ultimately improving their livelihoods and well-being.
Measuring Progress in Social Security Coverage
Accurate measurement of social security coverage is crucial for understanding the effectiveness of existing programs. The seminar will address the need for improved data collection and reporting methods. International discourse on social protection is essential, as it helps harmonize global reporting standards. This is particularly important for accounting for in-kind social protection measures, which often go unrecognized in traditional assessments.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has already initiated a national data pooling exercise in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO). This effort has led to a significant increase in India’s social protection coverage, which rose from 24.4% to 48.8% according to the latest ILO World Social Protection Report. The report also highlights that approximately 920 million people in India are covered by at least one social protection benefit.
As the seminar unfolds, participants will discuss strategies to further enhance social protection coverage and identify beneficiaries who are currently not receiving benefits. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that all workers, especially those in the informal sector, receive the protection and support they deserve.
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