Social Security Code Bill

Current context: Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar on 11th Dec introduced Social security Bill in Lok Sabha.

• This bill was approved by Union Cabinet last week to pave the way for Universalisation of social security for 50 crore workers in the country.
• This Bill proposes to setup a Social security Fund to provide welfare benefits like Medical cover, Pension and Death & disablement benefits to all workers including gig workers.
• After this bill came in effect, organised sector employees will be relieved as their Provident fund contribution will be decreased and return would increase.
• Even contract workers will also get gratuity on pro-rate basis.
• The Social Security Code subsumes 8 central labour laws. They are:

1. The Employees Compensation Act, 1923.
2. Employees State Insurance Act, 1948.
3. Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
4. Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
5. Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.
6. Cine Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1981.
7. Building and Other Construction Workers Cess Act, 1996.
8. Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008.

• To make thing even more simpler Ministry has decided to amalgamate 44 labour laws into 4 codes -

1. On wages
2. Industrial relations
3. Social security and safety
4. Health and working Conditions

Question: 

Q.1 Who is the Present Union Labour Minister?
a. Ram Vilash Pashwan
b. Arjun Munda
c. Piyush Goyal
d. Santosh Kumar Gangwar
e. Ramdas Athawale