In a major development for the welfare of marginalized workers, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has proposed extending the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) benefits to include disadvantaged workers. A directive has been sent to all State Governments urging the inclusion of migrant workers, construction workers, beedi workers, cine workers, non-coal mine workers, contract laborers, and other informal sector workers under the housing scheme.
This initiative follows the Union Cabinet’s recent decision to extend PMAY’s implementation for an additional five years, from FY 2024-25 to 2028-29, with the goal of providing 2 crore additional houses to eligible beneficiaries. The move underscores the need to address the housing challenges faced by economically vulnerable workers.
The Ministry highlights that including these workers under PMAY is crucial for social justice and improving their living conditions, given their status as a disadvantaged segment of society.
Additionally, the Ministry has announced that the Management Information System (MIS) portal, launched on August 21, 2024, for Building & Construction and Migrant Workers, is now fully functional.
The portal is designed to streamline the collection and analysis of data on fund utilization and workers’ coverage under various social security schemes, including insurance, health benefits, and housing. This centralized data management system will assist State Governments and Union Territories in making informed decisions and crafting more effective welfare policies for these workers.
Emphasizing the importance of a collective approach to worker upliftment, the Ministry has instructed Welfare Commissioners in different states to work closely with local authorities to ensure the effective implementation of these measures.
The Ministry is also conducting a series of regional meetings with States and Union Territories from August 29 to October 4, 2024, to follow up on the initiative and ensure its successful execution.
This effort is expected to significantly enhance the lives of millions of workers by ensuring they receive the housing and social security benefits to which they are entitled.
