New Delhi, November 22 (IANS). According to information given by the Center on Saturday, the Social Security Code, 2020 introduces a significant reform in India’s welfare framework. It aims to ensure comprehensive and inclusive social security for all sections of the workforce, especially gig and women workers. It brings together nine existing social security laws into a single and streamlined framework.
Under the new rules, for the first time, gig and platform workers are being recognized and a social security fund is being set up for their welfare. In addition, a National Social Security Board will be set up to advise the government and to formulate and monitor schemes for various workers in the unorganized, gig and platform sectors.
All unorganized, gig and platform workers will have to register themselves on the National Portal, after which each worker will receive a Unique Identification Number (UID). It will be verified by Aadhaar and will be valid throughout the country.
Reforms have also been introduced for women employees in the new rules.
Under the new rules, a female employee who has worked for at least 80 days in the 12 months preceding delivery can get maternity benefit equal to her average daily wages during the leave period. The maximum period of maternity leave will be 26 weeks, out of which a maximum of 2 months leave can be taken before delivery.
Additionally, a woman who adopts a child below 3 months of age or is a biological mother using surrogacy will get 3 months maternity leave from the date of adoption or the date the child is delivered to her.
Under the new rules, proof of maternal-related conditions such as pregnancy, delivery, abortion, or related illness has been simplified under the Code. Now registered medical practitioners, accredited social health workers (ASHA workers), qualified auxiliary nurses or midwives can issue medical certificates.
Under Section 64, if the company does not provide free pre- and post-natal care to a female employee, then the employee will be given a medical bonus of Rs 3,500.
Additionally, a female employee returning to work after delivery will be given two nursing breaks per day to breastfeed her child till she is 15 months old.
A female employee returning to work after maternity leave will be given work from home if the work is to be done from home. This facility of work from home can be provided with the mutual consent of the employer and the employee.
Regarding crèche facility, it has been made clear in the rules that companies with more than 50 employees will have to provide crèche facility within the prescribed distance.
Apart from this, the female employee will have to be allowed to visit the crèche four times daily. If a female employee does not get the facility of crèche, then she will have to pay a crèche allowance of at least Rs 500 per month per child, which will be given for a maximum of two children.
–IANS
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