Budget focus firmly on employment generation: Labour Minster

The Labour Ministry got its highest ever allocation in this year’s Union Budget and the increase in funding will help focus on the new employment generation scheme, Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Sunday (February 2, 2025). The “record ₹32,646 crore” allocation is almost 80% higher than last year’s revised estimates, he added.

The Ministry’s main focus is the new Employment Generation Scheme, for which the budgetary allocation has been doubled from ₹10,000 crore to ₹20,000 crore. “The allocation under the Employees’ Pension Scheme has been increased by ₹300 crore and under the PM Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana by 37% compared to last year,” he said. 

Commenting on the social security benefits for gig workers, Dr. Mandaviya said that the gig workforce is a vital pillar of India’s new-age economy, driving innovation and efficiency across digital platforms. “Recognising their contribution, the government’s decision to provide them with identity cards, e-Shram registration, and healthcare security under PM Jan Arogya Yojana is a transformative step towards their social security and well-being. This initiative will empower nearly one crore gig workers,” the Minister said.

He said the Union government remains committed to extending social security benefits to workers in other unorganised sectors as well, ensuring dignity, security, and prosperity for every worker in the country.