{"id":40955,"date":"2025-04-11T19:10:38","date_gmt":"2025-04-11T13:40:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=40955"},"modified":"2025-04-11T19:10:40","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T13:40:40","slug":"universal-social-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/editorial-analysis\/11-04-2025\/universal-social-security","title":{"rendered":"Towards Universal Social Security: Moving Beyond Fragmented Approaches for Workers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance; Social Issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>India&#8217;s social security framework<\/strong> has long been criticized for its fragmented approach, particularly in addressing the needs of informal workers, and highlighting the need for a comprehensive and universal social protection system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Social Security<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a crucial aspect of economic and social policy aimed at providing financial and social protection to the country&#8217;s diverse population.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is primarily delivered through government initiatives, employer-based benefits, and social insurance programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Social protection<\/strong> is a recognized <strong>human right<\/strong>, essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Goal 1 of the SDGs<\/strong> aims <strong>to end poverty by 2030<\/strong> through national social protection systems, ensuring the coverage of vulnerable groups.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Global Perspective and Sustainable Development<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India\u2019s Universal Social Security aspiration resonates with <strong>ILO\u2019s Social Protection Floors Recommendation<\/strong>, which calls for:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Basic income security;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access to essential health care;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Extension to informal economy;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Article 22 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: <\/strong>It emphasizes social security as a fundamental right.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India\u2019s efforts are significant, though still evolving compared to models in countries like <strong>Brazil (Bolsa Familia)<\/strong> or <strong>South Africa (social pensions<\/strong>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Current Challenges in Social Security<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fragmented Framework: <\/strong>Social security in India is often tied to formal employment, leaving <strong>informal workers excluded or disadvantaged<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Welfare boards, which are central to the distribution of benefits, have faced significant inefficiencies and underutilization of funds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gig Workers and Emerging Categories:<\/strong> The rise of gig workers has prompted new schemes, such as health coverage under Ayushman Bharat and transaction-based pension policies.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>However, these measures remain reactive, addressing challenges only when new worker categories emerge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Implementation Gaps:<\/strong> Reports reveal delays in remittance payments and underutilization of welfare funds, such as the \u20b970,744.16 crore collected for construction workers.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Even states with strong welfare records, like Kerala, have struggled with the effective functioning of welfare boards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Underestimation of Coverage: <\/strong>The ILO report <strong>does not account for in-kind benefits<\/strong> like food security and housing or state-administered schemes.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The actual coverage is expected to be higher once these factors are included.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Low Coverage in the Unorganized Sector:<\/strong> Over 90% of India&#8217;s workforce is in the unorganized sector, yet only a small fraction benefits from social security schemes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Challenges in Implementation:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fragmentation: <\/strong>Multiple welfare schemes, managed by different departments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Identification:<\/strong> Lack of a single unified worker registry (eShram helps but incomplete).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Funding Gaps:<\/strong> Limited fiscal allocation for full-scale universal coverage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Portability: <\/strong>Migrant workers lack portability across states.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Awareness: <\/strong>Many workers are unaware of entitlements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Universal Social Security Vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It emphasizes inclusion of Unorganized sector workers (~90% of workforce); Migrant workers; Gig and platform economy workers (e.g., Swiggy, Uber); Women workers; and Senior citizens without pensions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e7e7e7\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e7e7e7;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"232\" height=\"264\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/legal-framework.png\" alt=\"India\u2019s Universal Social Security Vision\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-40956\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Social Security Code, 2020<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It <strong>consolidates nine central labor laws<\/strong> into one unified legislation, as an umbrella scheme.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It mandates the <strong>creation of a National Social Security Board<\/strong> to recommend suitable schemes for different classes of workers, including gig workers and the self-employed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It covers a broad spectrum: Provident Fund; Employee State Insurance; Gratuity; Maternity Benefit; Social security for gig and platform workers; and Welfare for unorganized workers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><tbody><tr><td colspan=\"3\"><strong>Schemes Under the Umbrella<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Scheme<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Target Group<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Benefit<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>PM-SYM (Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan)<\/strong><\/td><td>Unorganized workers<\/td><td>Pension of \u20b93,000\/month after age 60<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>e-Shram Portal<\/strong><\/td><td>All informal workers<\/td><td>UAN-linked central database for welfare access<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Atal Pension Yojana<\/strong><\/td><td>All citizens (mainly unorganized)<\/td><td>Defined pension scheme<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>ESIC (Employees&#8217; State Insurance)<\/strong><\/td><td>Formal Workers; Now extended to gig workers<\/td><td>Health, maternity, disablement benefits<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Need for a Universal Social Protection System <\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Proactive Approach:<\/strong> India must reimagine its social security framework to address the precarious nature of informal work comprehensively.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A universal system would ensure protection for all workers, regardless of their employment type or sector.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Integration of Targeted Relief: <\/strong>Combining universal social protection with targeted support for specific worker categories can address unique challenges while ensuring inclusivity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Alignment with Global Standards:<\/strong> As a founding member of the ILO, India should ratify the <strong>Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952,<\/strong> to establish basic social security principles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Recent Expansions in Social Security<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Extending Benefits to Gig and Platform Workers:<\/strong> Under the <strong>social security umbrella<\/strong> through platforms like <strong>e-Shram<\/strong> and the <strong>Social Security Code 2020<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Digital and Financial Inclusion:<\/strong> The <strong>Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) Trinity<\/strong> has strengthened the delivery of welfare benefits, ensuring direct benefit transfers (DBT) to beneficiaries, reducing leakages, and improving transparency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ration Card Portability under \u2018One Nation, One Ration Card\u2019 (ONORC):<\/strong> It enables migrant workers to access subsidized food grains anywhere in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strengthening Healthcare and Insurance for Informal Workers:<\/strong> The government has been pushing for the inclusion of informal workers in health schemes, ensuring access to PM-JAY and ESIC facilities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Relying on piecemeal approaches to social security risks leaving vulnerable workers behind and creating inequities between different categories of informal work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By adopting a universal and inclusive social protection system, India can ensure the dignity and well-being of its workforce while fostering sustainable economic growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Daily Mains Practice Question<\/strong><br><strong>[Q]<\/strong> How can India move beyond fragmented social security measures to establish a universal and inclusive protection system for all workers, ensuring financial stability and dignity?<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/op-ed\/drop-the-piecemeal-ways-to-social-security-for-workers\/article69436380.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/UPSC-Editorial-Analysis-11-April-2025.PDF.pdf\">Download PDF<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>India&#8217;s social security framework has long been criticized for its fragmented approach, particularly in addressing the needs of informal workers, and highlighting the need for a comprehensive and universal social protection system.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-editorial-analysis"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40955","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40955"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40955\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40963,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40955\/revisions\/40963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}