Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E) and Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) chaired the two-day National level conference with Labour Ministers and Secretaries of States and Union Territories (UTs) in New Delhi, Delhi.
- The meeting was held from 29th January to 30th January 2025.
- The aim of the meeting was to integrate the efforts of the central government, states, and UTs to build a unified legal and administrative framework for reforms to benefit workers and employers.
Key People:
The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State (MoS) Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, MoL&E; Sumita Dawra, Secretary, MoL&E along with Labour Ministers from various States/UTs, and senior officials from States/UTs.
Key Highlights:
i.The conference focused on key issues including Labour Reforms, Social Security for Organized and Unorganized Workers including Gig and Platform Workers and expanding Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) medical and healthcare services.
- The meeting also discussed ways to match demand and supply in the labour market, enhance employment generation and employability through National Career Service (NCS) Portal and Model Career Centres (MCC).
ii.Moreover, the conference also emphasized focused upon-
- Integration of ESIC with Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
- Utilization of State Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) for Primary/Secondary Medical Care
- Formation of State ESI Society
- Execute Dhanwantari Module in ESIS hospitals/ dispensaries
- Appoint Medical Colleges and Charity Hospitals as ESIC hospitals
iii.The meeting highlighted that 18 States/UTs have already implemented the majority of the reforms, while the remaining States/UTs have made significant progress, during the year.
- All 36 States/UTs are expected to complete pre-publication of unified draft rules in line with the labour codes, by 31st March 2025.
State-Specific Microsites & Occupational Shortage Index launched:
During the meeting, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched two significant initiatives during the conference : State & UT Microsites and Occupational Shortage Index (OSI) under the e-Shram initiative.
State & UT Microsites:
i.The e-Shram Microsites are state-specific digital platforms which are combined with the national e-Shram database which will simplify the registration of unorganized workers through the two-way integration between State portals and the eShram portals.
- This will also provide access to both Central and State welfare programs for unorganized workers, employment opportunities, skilling programmes, etc.
ii.The microsites will provide a ready-to-use digital infrastructure to the states/UTs replacing the need for costly and lengthy development processes.
- The real-time analytic dashboards will help in better policy decision-making and would provide state-specific tools for their labor market requirements.
iv.The platforms are available in different languages for easy access to workers from different regions.
Occupational Shortage Index (OSI):
i.The Occupational Shortage Index (OSI) has been launched with an aim to match labour market demand and supply and to increase employment in India.
ii.The index is based upon International Labour Organization (ILO) methodology and quarterly Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data that provides factual data of occupations falling short of employees which matches job seekers’ skills with industry demands
iii.It also supports policymakers, training institutions, and businesses in effective decision making in workforce planning and skill development initiatives, improving job matching and guiding State governments and employers to create specific skill development programs.
Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E):
Union Minister– Mansukh Mandaviya (Constituency – Porbandar, Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS) – Shobha Karandlaje (Constituency – Bengaluru North)
