Ministry seeks feedback on draft social security rules

The Union Labour and Employment Ministry has notified the draft rules below the Code on Social Security, 2020, which suggest to supply the unorganised sector, gig and platform staff entry to social security advantages by means of a authorities portal.

The Ministry notified the draft rules on November 13 and sought strategies and objections inside 45 days.

In a press release on Sunday, the Ministry stated the rules have been framed for the implementation of the provisions of the Code on Social Security, 2020, which was handed by Parliament in September, regarding the Employees’ Provident Fund, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, gratuity, maternity profit, social security and cess in respect of constructing and different development staff (BOCW).

“The draft rules also provide for Aadhaar-based registration, including self-registration by unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers on the portal of the Central government. Ministry of Labour and Employment has already initiated action for development of such portal,” the Ministry stated.

The rules additionally present for the Aadhaar-based registration of BOCW on a portal of the Centre, State authorities or the BOCW welfare board of the State.

“Where a building worker migrates from one State to another he shall be entitled to get benefits in the State where he is currently working and it shall be the responsibility of the Building Workers Welfare Board of that State to provide benefits to such a worker,” it stated.

The rules additionally present for a single digital registration of an institution, together with for cancellation in case the enterprise is closed. The BOCW cess can be calculated by the employer on the idea of the price of development in accordance with the charges of the State Public Works Department or the Central Public Works Department or the paperwork submitted to the Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

“The rate of interest for delayed payment of such cess has been reduced from 2% every month or part of a month to 1%. Under the existing rules, the assessing officer has the power to direct that no material or machinery can be removed or disturbed from the construction site. Such power for indefinitely stopping of construction work has been withdrawn in the draft rules. Further, under the draft rules, the assessing officer can visit the construction site only with the prior approval of the secretary of the Building and Other Construction Workers Board,” the Ministry stated.