In deference to the wish of CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, labour laws in the state have been amended so as to promote investments without any adverse impact on labourers’ interests.
Both labourers and establishments have been benefited by Madhya Pradesh Shops and Establishments Act, Madhya Pradesh Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act and labour Welfare Fund Act passed in December 2014.
Implementation of Madhya Pradesh Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act has benefited about 10 thousand establishments. labourers retirement age has been increased from 58 to 60 years. The Act applies to establishments with over 50 labourers, but micro industries have been exempted from it. Instead of taking cases of violation of the Act to courts, now cases are being solved through settlements by realizing compounding fee as per new rules. Due to this, cases are being solved early.
Amendments in Madhya Pradesh Shops and Establishments Act have benefited 8.50 lakh establishments in the state. Application for registration or renewal of a shop or commercial establishments under the Act is deemed automatically registered if no objection is raised in 30 days.
Under any labour law, inspection of an establishment with below 10 employees cannot be undertaken without permission from labour Commissioner. Under the Act, permission has also been granted to maintain prescribed registers and other documents in computers or digital format. Cases of violation of this Act are also being solved through settlements by realising compounding fee. Under Madhya Pradesh labour Welfare Act, permission has been granted to establishments maintain registers and other documents in computers or digital format. Exemption from the Act’s provision has been granted to all micro industries.