Kasaragod, Mar 29: The Centre will implement three projects, including a pension scheme, for providing social security cover to 30 crore employees in the unorganised sector, Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes said on Saturday.

"The three schemes -- 'aam aadmi bhima yojana', health insurance and pension schemes -- will include people belonging to below poverty line working in the unorganised sector," Fernandes said, adding the health insurance scheme will begin from April.

The health insurance scheme is being implemented free of cost to the employees with the expenses being shared equally by the centre and respective state governments, he said while inaugurating 10th state level meeting of Provident Fund pensioners association here.

Under the health insurance scheme, the next of kin of the employee will get Rs 30,000 in the event of death, Rs 70,000 for accidental death and Rs 35,000 in the case of permanent disability, the Minister said.

The government has decided to introduce a new scheme to provide financial support for six months to all ESI registered employees in the unorganised sector if they stand to lose their job.

Under the pension scheme, those above 65 years of age under the BPL category would get a pension of Rs 200, the cost of which will be entirely borne by the government, he said.

When it was pointed out that not many are keen to join the employment guarantee scheme owing to poor wage structure, he said the respective states could enhance wages under the scheme for which the centre was meeting 90 per cent expenses.