February 13, 2026
Derek O’Brien’s Zero Hour mention about the need for Universal Minimum National Annual Guarantee (UMANG)
Sir, today, I am making a proposal for a universal basic minimum wage. Sir, why am I making this proposal? There are many reasons. One in three youth are not in employment, education or training. And, even those who have jobs, there is no minimum wage flow. And, the national wage flow effectively, over the last decade, is stagnant at about Rs.176 a day. So, low wage depressed consumption and lock workers into working poverty. So, with this background, the solution I am suggesting is a single legally enforceable universal basic minimum wage flow, below which no worker can be paid, irrespective of sector, irrespective of contract type and irrespective of where the person works. Since, the Union Government loves acronyms — so many acronyms — I thought we should also come up with a name for this and it is Universal Minimum Annual National Guarantee. Universal Minimum Annual National Guarantee which means ‘UMANG’. Sir, there are four points to be kept in mind if you introduce ‘UMANG’. One, notify a binding national flow wage under the wage law. Two, index it automatically to inflation and revise it annually. Simplify the rates and categories for easy compliance and this has to go to all kinds of workers, say, contract workers, gig workers, and, most importantly, where the action is or the solution is needed, that is, the unorganized sector. Sir, there are many examples of State Governments. Another scheme that will begin very soon is the Bangla Yuva Sathi, which is available to individuals aged 21 to 40. If you finished class 10 and you don’t have a job for five years, 1500 rupees goes into your bank account. No questions asked, Sir! And, we are doing this in Bengal, which, in any case, is in the top five when it comes to lowest unemployment rates. And, in these top five for lowest unemployment, three are Opposition ruled States – Karnataka, Jharkhand and Bengal. Two of the five are BJP-ruled States. Sir, this is a suggestion, as I said. Don’t copy State Governments; be inspired by State Governments. So, I want them to be inspired and introduce ‘UMANG’. Thank you, Sir.
