THE CONGRESS PARTY'S PRIORITIES, PLANS AND PROGRAMMES

INFORMAL AND UNORGANISED SECTOR

Almost 93% of the workforce in our country is in the unorganized sector. While every initiative must and will be taken to expand the proportion of employment in the organized sector, the Congress will ensure the well-being and welfare of all workers in the unorganized sector. Some Congress state governments have already taken significant steps in this area but a renewed national effort is now needed with focus on social insurance and health support. Special social security schemes started by earlier Congress governments for workers in the unorganized sector like weavers, handloom workers, fishermen and fisherwomen, toddy tappers, leather workers, plantation labour, beedi workers, etc., will be expanded.

The Congress will establish a National Commission to examine problems facing enterprises operating in the unorganized sector. The Commission will be asked to make appropriate recommendations to provide technical, marketing and credit support to these enterprises. A National Fund will be created for this purpose. A single, simplified law will be enacted to set out the obligations of these enterprises to labour and for safety. Appropriate social security measures will he devised to protect the workers in the unorganized sector against the risks of ill-health, unemployment and old age.

The Congress will create legal space in the cities and towns for hawkers, vendors, food-sellers and all such informal sector service activities that enrich urban life, so that they are spared the risk of extortion, eviction, confiscation and harassment.