Social Security For 1 Cent A Day

A bill facing parliament in India would provide a broad social security program for nearly 400 million poor workers in India. Some say the $22 billion program will cost too much to sustain.

1 minute read

May 30, 2007, 5:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"Once passed by parliament, the scheme will provide the country's 390 million poor and non-unionized workers with life insurance and disability protection."

"More than a third of India's population of one billion-plus people lives on less than $1 a day."

"More than 90% of India's workforce is not represented by organised trade unions."

"These workers earn their living as farm labourers, construction workers, brick kiln workers, and many are self-employed, with no access to social security benefits."

"Under the new scheme, the non-unionised, casual worker will be entitled to life insurance and health and disability benefits by contributing just one rupee (one cent) a day."

Thursday, May 24, 2007 in BBC

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