Odisha Includes 50 More Categories Of Unorganised Workers In Social Security Scheme; Doubles Assistance Amount

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has ordered the inclusion of 50 more categories of unorganised workers in the welfare scheme of the Odisha Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Board Welfare Schheme.

The significant step has been taken to enhance the welfare of workers engaged in the unorganised sector in the state by expanding the coverage of the scheme.

This apart, the state government has also approved increase in the assistance amount for the families of deceased workers registered with the board.

In case of accidental death, the assistance amount has been raised from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh, a release from the Chief Minister’s Office said on Wednesday.

Similarly, for natural deaths, the assistance amount has been enhanced from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.

Since its inception in May 2017, the Odisha Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Board Welfare Scheme has been benefiting approximately 3.65 lakh registered workers from 10 categories. With the inclusion of 50 more categories of unorganised workers, the scheme is set to extend its reach and impact even more lives, fostering a safer and more secure working environment for the labour force in the state.

The 50 new categories of beneficiaries of the board are:

• Tailors, embroidery artisans
• Bariks, employees working in spas, salons, and beauty parlours
• Maharana
• Fishermen
• Blacksmiths
• Railway coolies
• Potters
• Stone Carvers and assistants
• Lace-makers
• Sanitary workers
• Laundry and dry cleaners
• Weavers, handicrafts, and handicraftsmen
• Carpentry workers
• Folk art artists
• Painters/painters
• Butchers
• Gemstone workers and goldsmiths
• Hotels, restaurants, and Bricklayers
• Photographers and videographers
• Welders, welding assistants
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Toolmakers
• Dye makers
• Painters
• Mechanical and preparatory electrical equipment repairman
• Gardener
• Furniture repair worker
• Work assistant in grocery and household store
• Florist
• Tent house/decoration worker
• Trade union member
• Entertainers
• Musicians and singers
• Film operators/assistants
• Cinema hall booking clerks
• Workers engaged in making musical instruments
• All types of artisans
• Plantation workers, employed labourer
• Boatman/helper
• Snacks mixture factory worker
• Pickle, badi, papad maker
• Saw-mill worker
• Milk vendor
• Caretaker/housekeeper/bedside attendant
• Cake/candy maker
• Ice maker/Ice cream maker
• Dairy product maker
• Travel & tour guide
• Delivery boy
• Agricultural labourer, cultivator