Question

(a) Explain the efforts done by the Indian government towards "Right to work".

Accepted Answer

(i) The Central Government in India made a law implementing the ‘Right to Work’ in about 625 districts of India. (ii) Under “Right to Work”, MGNREGA (Mahtama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) 2005/Viksit BharatGuarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission or (G RAM G 2025) was implemented. This ensured all those who are able to, and need work in rural areas are guaranteed 100 days (now 125 days) of employment in a year by the government. (iii) Government has provided reservation of seats for SC/ST under this act. (iv) If the government fails in its duty to provide employment, it will give unemployment allowances to the people. (v) The types of work that would help to increase the production from land will be given preference under ‘Right to Work’. For example, construction of dams and canals to irrigate farms, construction of roads, and storages, etc. (vi) The government has made many provisions for banks and cooperative societies which lend money to people so that they could borrow cheaply for a variety of needs. They could grow crops, set up small businesses and construct wells to irrigate farms. (vii) The NITI Aayog has suggested the government that employment could be generated at small scale in different areas. For example, NITI Aayog estimates that nearly 20 lakh jobs can be created in the education sector alone. (viii) Provision of honey collection centres, local crafts and small scale agriculture-based industries (e.g. dal mills), food processing industries etc. will also generate employment. (ix) The government implements various laws to ensure fair working conditions which is a key part of the Right to Work. This is done by ensuring workers security of employment and protecting vulnerable workers especially in the unorganised sectors. (x) Improvement in the health sector will create the need for doctors, nurses, health workers etc. to work in rural areas which will generate jobs. (xi) All these activities and services can create employment, improve the income, rural prosperity and well-being of people.

Organised Sector	Unorganised Sector
(i) Organised sector covers enterprises or places of work where the terms of employment are regular and therefore, people have assured work.	(i) The unorganised sector is characterised by small and scattered units which are largely outside the control of the government. People have no guarantee of work and can be removed at any time.
(ii) They are registered by the government.	(ii) They are also registered by the government.
(iii) They follow its rules and regulations which are given in various laws such as the Factories Act, Minimum Wages Act, Payment of Gratuity Act, Shops and Establishments Act etc.	(iii) There are rules and regulations but those are not followed.
(iv) It has some formal processes and procedures.	(iv) There are no formal processes and procedures of operation.
(v) Workers in the organised sector enjoy security of employment. They are expected to work only a fixed number of hours.	(v) There is no job security and number of working hours are not fixed.
(vi) They also get several other benefits from the employers- for example, paid leave, payment during holidays, provident fund, gratuity, and medical benefits etc.	(vi) They get no other allowances apart from their wages.
(vii) The factory manager has to ensure facilities like drinking water and a safe working environment.	(vii) They may not be provided with any such facility.
(viii) Provision of pension at the time of retirement for the workers.	(viii) They do not have such provisions.

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