Representational Image. (Thinkstock)
The Centre will issue smart cards to workers in the unorganised sector in the country and set up a National Vocational Training Institute for skill development, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya said in Thiruvananthapuram today.
Addressing a press conference, he said the smart cards would facilitate workers to receive benefit under various government welfare schemes.
The government wanted to achieve total insurance coverage to all workers and hence the Employees State Insurance (ESI) services would be expanded in the country, he said.
Replying to a question, he said ESI's main focus was not promotion of medical colleges and the Centre wanted to provide total insurance coverage to workers.
ESI's expansion would be finalised with the support and co-operation of states, he said. State level Executive Committees would be set up as part of the exercise.
Stating that shortage of skilled workforce was a problem in the country, he said skill development training centres would be set up states. Workers would be given training with a stipend of Rs 35 per hour, he said.
It was also planned to upgrade the Employment Exchanges in the country as Employment Information Centres that would provide information on job vacancies, he said.
Mr Dattatreya held a detailed discussion here with Kerala Minister of Labour Shibu Baby John and top officials of the state and central labour departments.