Employment Policy for working class soon

BANGALORE: To ensure better implementation of legislations and welfare schemes meant for the benefit of the working class, the UPA government will formulate a National Employment Policy, which is under the consideration of the PMO, said Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge.The union minister who returned to India after attending the 100th International Labour Conference held at Geneva which concluded on Friday, addressed the press here on Sunday that the intention to formulate a national employment policy was to strengthen existing social security measures for the working class.He said that the new policy had nothing to do with the demands from foreign investors who were seeking reforms in existing various labour laws.Kharge said that the proposal was before the planning department and it would be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval soon.“We aim to improve the standard of living of an estimated 58 crore people in the age group of 15-59 years by introducing various schemes.” He said that the government has set a target of imparting skills to 500 million persons by 2022, the infrastructure for which being created.“My ministry has written to the state government to allot land for the construction of zonal offices of Provident Fund and ESI with a capital investment of over `200 crores,” the Union minister said.  MEASURES OF THE UPA GOVERNMENT TOBOOST JOB OPPORTUNITIES■ Allocation for social sector increased by 17 per cent to `1,60,887 crore in 2011-12 ■ Allocation for Bharat Nirman programme to be increased to `58,000 crore.■ Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan allocation increased to `21,000 crore.■ Two static dispensaries at Allahabad and Jabalpur sanctioned for the benefit of beedi industry workers; four new 15-bed hospitals at Mushirabad, Kolkata, Sirchola near Hyderabad and Yadgir sanctioned ■ 38 dispensaries to be set up across nation, including two in Karnataka.