Haryana Assembly on Wednesday passed a Bill to bring amendment to the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, to allow industrial units with up to 300 workers, to shut down and lay off without government permission.
The House also passed another Bill concerning contract labour which proposes to do away with the condition of registration for industrial establishments, employing up to 50 workers, under the Contract labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act 1970.
Besides, two more Bills were passed for bringing amendment in the Factories Act, 1948 and Payment of Wages Act, 1936.
labour and Employment Minister Capt Abhimanyu moved Industrial Disputes (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the ongoing budget session, which was passed by the House.
Meanwhile, opposition Congress remained absent in the House, demanding revocation of suspension of their three MlAs who were suspended for six months for tearing copies of Governor's Address in the Assembly.
The Bill proposes to bring amendment in the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 which is a Central legislation to "facilitate industry".
As per the existing provisions of Section 25 K of the Act, the industrial establishments which employ 100 or more workmen are required to obtain prior permission in respect of lay-off, retrenchment and closure. The Bill proposes to raise the limit to 300.
However, if the State Government is satisfied that maintenance of industrial peace or prevention of victimization of workmen so requires, it might apply the provisions to such industrial establishments employing less than 300 workmen but not less than 100, as may be specified by the State Government, said the Bill.
The Payment of Wages (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2016 was passed with a view to provide remedy to those who are getting wages at higher rate to enable them to agitate their claim in case of delayed payment of wages or illegal deduction from their wages before the statutory authority appointed under the Act.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar had stressed on bringing labour reforms when he was touring different states to seek investments in Haryana for 'Happening Haryana Summit'.
