Saturday, March 18 2006 14:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government today(Mar 18,2006) said it will introduce a Bill before the end of the Budget session to provide minimum level of security for workers in the unorganised sector. "The unorganised workers' problems will be addressed through adequate legislation. The government is seized of the matter. We will come to the house with an adequate legislation, most likely before the end of the Budget session," Labour Minister K Chandra Shekhar Rao said replying to a discussion on the working of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The Unorganised Sector Workers' Social Security Bill is in the finalisation stage, he said adding that agriculture labour would also come under the ambit of the legislation.

The Bill envisages establishment of a National Social Security Authority for the unorganised sector which would consist of a supervisory board and an executive office. The Authority would formulate policy in coordination with various state governments, welfare boards and other agencies for the workers in the unorganised sector.

He said his ministry was reviewing all the labour laws to see if amendments were needed in them. Responding to members' query whether the government would restore the interest rates on EPF deposits to 9.5 per cent, Rao said that since the model code of conduct has come in to force in view of assembly polls in five states he cannot make any policy announcements.

Sharing members' concern on child labour, he said the government would take action against those employing children.