World Labour Day: If there are no workers, the nation cannot be built. To honor the work and hard work of these workers, World Labour Day is celebrated every year on May 1. The purpose of this day is to make the workers aware of their rights and also to bring awareness in them. Labor Day has been declared a national holiday. The celebration of this day started in the United States in the year 1886. The workers went on strike for an eight-hour shift and demanded their rights. Here are some such messages (wishes) of Labor Day which can be shared with everyone on this day.
Beginning of Labor Day in India
Labor Day was celebrated for the first time in India in 1923. This day was started by communist leader Singaravelu Chettiar in Chennai. He organized the first Labor Day meeting in front of the Madras High Court demanding the rights of workers. In this meeting, ‘May Day’ was celebrated for the first time in India.
Importance of Workers in India
On 16 October 2014, PM Modi emphasized that the power of ‘Shramev Jayate‘ is just as significant as ‘Satyamev Jayate’ for the nation’s development. Over the years, several schemes have been introduced to safeguard workers’ rights.Workers were provided with a Universal Account Number with portability, ensuring they could withdraw their provident fund securely from anywhere. Additionally, the role of labor inspectors was redefined to offer guidance and support, reducing the burden of Inspector Raj.
Shram Suvidha Portal for Industry Ease
The Shram Suvidha Portal was launched to simplify compliance and reduce transaction costs for businesses. It allows industries to file easy returns and promotes a respectful approach toward workers, reinforcing their role as ‘Shram Yogi, Rashtra Yogi, and Rashtra Nirmaan‘.
E-Shram Portal: Database for Unorganized Workers
The E-Shram Portal is a major initiative aimed at creating a national database of unorganized workers. So far,28.93 crore workers have registered across 400+ occupations with plans to expand further. The portal is integrated with National Career Service (NCS) and Skill India Portal (SIP).
National Career Service (NCS) for Employment
Launched in 2015, the NCS platform offers employment-related services digitally. As of May 31, 2023, there are:
- 3.20 crore registered job seekers
- 11.25 lakh active employers
- 6.42 lakh active vacancies Since its launch, 1.39 crore vacancies have been listed, and it integrates with E-Shram, Udyam, and SIP.
Shram Suvidha Portal (SSP) for Governance
The Shram Suvidha Portal, introduced on 16 October 2014, enhances governance by:
- Increasing transparency and accountability in labor laws
- Streamlining compliance processes
- Reducing transaction costs
It is integrated with the DPIIT’s National Single Window System (NSWS), allowing investors to apply for labor law-related licenses with single sign-on access.
Policy Reforms Under Labour Codes
Several labor policies have been revised, including:
- Decriminalization of certain labor laws
- Maternity benefits extended to 26 weeks for two living children and 12 weeks for more than two children
- Welfare support for SC/ST job seekers
- Labour welfare schemes for bidi, cine, and non-coal mine workers Additionally, for the first time, commissioning/adoptive mothers can avail 12 weeks of paid maternity leave.
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