A social security fortnight would be observed in West Bengal from
January 1 to January 14 to popularise various social security
schemes for the unorganised sector initiated by the West Bengal
government. "We want to make people aware of various welfare
schemes introduced for the marginal and backward people of society
engaged in different occupations in the unorganised sector," state
labour minister Purnendu Bose said announcing the programme. "If a beneficiary enlists his name at the age of 18 years and
contributes Rs 25 against the state government's contribution of Rs 30
per month, at the age of 60 he will get Rs 2.5 lakh under the
state-Assisted scheme of Provident Fund for Unorganised Workers
(SASPFUW)", the minister said.
While nearly 22 lakh workers were registered under this scheme
(SASPFUW) during the 34-year rule of the LF Government, in the last 18
months the state government had registered nearly ten lakh unorganised
sector workers registered under the scheme, he said. The minister
said that out of 7.30 lakh total number of workers enrolled under
Building and Other Construction Workers Act (BOCWA) as on November 30,
2012, a total of 4.58 lakh were enrolled only during the last 18 months
of the present government for various benefits.
Similarly, under the schemes for transport workers, a total of 43,857
workers were enrolled during last 18 months rule of the present
government for various benefits, which was against a total enrolled
workers of 89,554 since the beginning of LF government in 1977, he said. Besides, the state government has been able to reduce the mandays loss
due to strike drastically, while almost all the jute mills and tea
gardens are now open during their rule, barring closure in only two
cases each, the minister said.