Closure of industrial units have affected over 6,400 workers in different parts of the country in the last three years, the government said today.
As many as 161 industrial units were shut down "affecting 6,442 workers" in the last three years, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya told the Lok Sabha.
Replying to a question in the Question Hour, he also said that various skill development initiatives were being implemented to help those affected by closure of industrial units.
The maximum of 3,785 workers were impacted due to shut down of 92 industrial units in 2013, while last year there were 24 closures affecting 1,054 workers, he said.
In 2012, as many as 1,603 workers were affected on account of shutting down of 45 industrial units.
The Minister was replying to a query about details on the number of industries or factories closed down and workers affected during the last three years and current year.
State-wise details about closures and affected people were not available for 2013 and 2014.
Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana (RGSKY) provides unemployment allowance to insured persons, covered under the ESI (Employees' State Insurance) Act, who have become jobless due to closure of factories or establishments, retrenchment or permanent invalidity of not less than 40 per cent arising out of non-employment injury.
Under the scheme, unemployment allowance is payable for 12 months which is discontinued from the day the beneficiary is re-employed.
"Up to December 2014, a total number of 10,052 insured persons have availed benefit of this scheme," the Minister said.
