TMC's Derek O'Brien Advocates for Universal Minimum Wage, Citing Bengal's Yuva Sathi as Model
Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien, speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, called for the urgent establishment of a universal basic minimum wage across India. He pointed to West Bengal's successful 'Yuva Sathi' scheme as a proven blueprint that could guide national policy to address the country's deepening employment crisis and the persistent stagnation of worker incomes.
Yuva Sathi Scheme: A Blueprint for National Action
The 'Yuva Sathi' initiative in West Bengal provides crucial financial support to unemployed youth. Under this program, individuals aged between 21 and 40 years, who have passed at least Class X, are eligible to receive a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500. This financial aid continues for a maximum period of five years or until the beneficiary secures gainful employment, whichever occurs earlier. O'Brien highlighted this targeted approach as an effective model for broader economic intervention.
Proposal for Universal Minimum Annual National Guarantee (UMANG)
During the Zero Hour in Parliament, Derek O'Brien formally introduced his proposal for a Universal Minimum Annual National Guarantee, abbreviated as UMANG. This initiative seeks to create a single, legally enforceable wage floor that would apply uniformly across the entire nation. The core principle is that no worker in India, irrespective of their employment sector, type of contract, or geographical location, should be paid below this mandated minimum threshold.
O'Brien presented compelling data to underscore the urgency of his proposal. He argued that the effective national wage floor has remained stagnant at approximately Rs 176 per day for the past decade. This prolonged stagnation, he contended, has trapped millions of Indian workers in a relentless cycle of "working poverty," where despite being employed, their earnings are insufficient to meet basic living standards and escape economic hardship.
Bengal's Employment Success Story
To bolster his argument for policy intervention, the Trinamool leader cited recent employment statistics. He noted that West Bengal currently boasts the fifth-lowest unemployment rate in India, recorded at 3.6%. This figure is significantly lower than the national average unemployment rate, which stands at 4.8%. O'Brien suggested that schemes like Yuva Sathi contribute to such positive labor market outcomes by providing a safety net and economic stability to the youth.
The call for UMANG represents a significant political push to reframe the national conversation on wages and workers' rights. By leveraging the demonstrated success of a state-level program, O'Brien aims to catalyze legislative action at the central level. The proposal emphasizes the need for a cohesive, nationwide strategy to ensure dignified earnings for all workers and to stimulate broader economic growth through increased consumer spending power.
