The right to work deleted

Context: The MGNREGA scheme ensures the right to work for 100
days per year per rural household. However, it has been observed that there is
an increasing number of worker deletions with a total of 10.43 crore MGNREGA
workers across the country in the past four years alone. Schedule II, Paragraph
23 of the Act outlines the procedure for deletions of workers from job cards,
if the Gram panchayat is satisfied at any time that a person has registered
with it by furnishing false information, it may direct the Programme Officer to
direct his name to be struck off from the register and direct the applicant to
return the job card. The surge of deletions in 2022-23 coincided with the
period when the Union Government issued several circulars making Aadhaar-based
payment systems (ABPS) mandatory in MGNREGA.

Key points

·      
Overview: The implementation guidelines for MGNREGA are
outlined in Master Circulars issued by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)
annually or biennially.

·      
Recent
policy: Administrative Efficiency
- Governments may argue that streamlining policies and removing cumbersome
regulations can enhance efficiency in employment programs.

Aadhaar-Based Payment Systems (ABPS) - The push for ABPS has led to increased deletions of
job cards, as officials focus on compliance metrics rather than ensuring
workers’ rights are upheld.

Political and Economic Pressures - There may be external pressures to reduce welfare
spending or adjust labour policies in response to economic conditions, leading
to a perception that the ‘right to work’ is less critical.

·      
Impact of
the new policies: Workers’
Rights - It undermines the legal protections afforded to workers, making it
easier for authorities to arbitrarily delete job cards without proper
verification or due process.

Unions and Collective Bargaining - Unions may find it challenging to advocate for
workers’ rights when legal entitlements are diminished, weakening their
bargaining power.

Labour Market Dynamics - A reduction in guaranteed employment can lead to increased unemployment
and underemployment, exacerbating poverty and economic inequality among rural
populations.

·      
Way
forward: Strengthen Oversight and
Accountability - Implement independent audits, regular reviews, and
grievance redress mechanisms to ensure adherence to due process in job card
deletions, with active involvement of Gram Sabhas and worker representatives.

Enhance Worker Protections - Reinforce legal safeguards for the ‘right to work’ by
improving transparency in employment programs, ensuring compliance with MGNREGA
mandates, and addressing systemic issues like ABPS-linked exclusions through
inclusive digital solutions.