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Civil society demands universal pension for elderly
Friday May 04, 2012 08:15:30 PM,
IANS
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New Delhi: Members of civil society and the
unorganised sector Friday demanded universal pension rights for
the elderly of the unorganised sector with a series of public
hearings to press for the rights.
"Longevity has increased, lives are longer but the bodies of the
old are unable to cope with the hard physical work that is
required to sustain them. It is the obligation of the state to
provide pensions to people who are no longer able to work," said
Aruna Roy, social activist and member of the National Advisory
Council (NAC).
"There are strong and progressive international precedents in
lower and middle income countries vis-a-vis pension," added Roy.
Around 3,000 workers from 20 states and leaders of the Mazdoor
Kisan Shakti Sanghatan will hold a series of agitations and public
hearings May 7 to May 11 in New Delhi's Jantar Mantar to demand
pension rights. The Pension Parishad will demand universal pension
rights for the elderly in the unorganised sectors such as waste
pickers, domestic workers and headloaders, among others.
"The demand for pensions is a global demand, not linked to per
capita incomes. About 8 crore people will have to be covered in
the country where GDP is growing at 8 percent," said Prabhat
Patnaik, former member of the Kerala State Planning Board.
Activists are also advocating stronger implementation of the
Unorganised Workers Social Security Act 2008.
"The Act provides for pensions to unorganised workers and since
they constitute 93 percent of the workforce. We are arguing for
universalisation of pension," said Baba Adhav, veteran leader of
unorganised workers in Maharashtra.
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