Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s labour reforms and measures to abolish Inspector Raj were opposed by veteran trade union leader and former Paradeep Port Trust (PPT) Board Member Sudhakar Mantry. Mantry described the Union Government’s schemes under Shramev Jayate as anti- labour and pro-employer.
He apprehended that the policies would exploit the Indian labour class in coming days. Speaking to mediapersons in a Press conference here, he said a reshape of labour laws envisages ease of business.The priority of the BJP-led NDA Government in the Center seems to be giving an edge to the employers and business enterprises at the cost of the labour class.
“Ironically before adopting the labour reforms, the Union labour Ministry did not consult with the five major trade unions working in the country. Even veteran trade unionists have been ignored,” Mantry rued.Notably while inaugurating the Pandit Deendayal Upadhaya Shramev Jayate Karyakram organized by the Union labour Ministry at New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi had unveiled a string of labour reforms.The Prime Minister had expressed that cumbersome labour regulations were among the biggest hurdles to set up industry and business in India and called for a reform of the labour laws.
However, Mantry warned that any move to make dramatic changes in labour regulations would not be taken in good stead by major trade unions of the country.He said that the endeavor of the Modi Government was only to appease the USA and the business houses coming to country in the course of FDI within the ambit of new labour reforms. But Mantry welcomed positive reforms in the age-old labour laws of the country.