Facing stiff opposition from major trade unions , Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the proposed changes in the labour laws will be carried out through consensus and in consultation with trade unions.
Inaugurating the 46th Indian labour Conference here, he said “changes in the labour laws will be made with the concurrence of the unions and the consultation process will continue”.
Incidentally, the President of the BJP backed, Bhartiya Mazdoor Sanagh, BN Rai cautionined the government against diluting the labour welfare rules.
Observing that country cannot remain happy if labourers are unhappy, Modi said, they contribute immensely for nation building and businesses cannot run properly in the absence of cordial relation between workers and employers.
The Prime Minister also expressed concern over the lack of respect for the workers in Indian society. “There is a wrong habit which has crept in, we do not respect our labour enough, he said,” adding the law was needed for those who do not treat labour as fellow human beings. He also made a case for simplification of the labour laws which currently are complex and can be interpreted by all stake holders for their own benefit.
“It is my effort to simplify the laws so that even the poorest are able to understand their rights and avail them,” Modi said. He said that he has seen poverty and does not need to take camera persons to see poverty. “I have seen and experienced poverty, I do not need to go somewhere with a cameraman to know about poverty,” Modi said.The Prime Minister asked industry to promote apprenticeship and make it as part of their corporate social responsibility. “You (industry) cannot keep the door closed for apprentices for long time,” he added.
The government, he said, has taken several steps for the welfare of labour. These include raising minimum pension to Rs 1,000 per month, introduction of social security and pension schemes and online PF accounts. “We are empowering labour though technology.” he added.
Raising the labour issues, BMS chief and Vice-Chairman of 46th IlC, BN Rai said that rapid economic growth should not be at the cost of the workers. “The Government has adopted few wrong policies by taking such actions which directly affect labour in particular and people in general,” he said,
Among the “wrong policies”, BMS leader listed unilateral enactment of Apprentice Act as well as “allowing Rajasthan government to do unilateral changes in Factories and other labour laws, which has motivated Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and other (state) government to follow the same line”. Imposition of tax on PF loan, removal of inspectors by allowing self certification and attempt to convert minimum wages to floor level wages are other flawed policies, he said.
Reacting the criticsm from trade unions, Finance Minister Jaitley said the country needed a lot of investment for the growth and job creation. He appealed to the union leaders not to block the moves for better economic activity.
“If we stop the fountain of investment, then employment will not increase, then economic activity will also not increase. And it becomes a threat to existing jobs,” said Jaitley. The minister said Indian economy was the fastest growing among major economies with most of them facing challenges.
“The Government is trying that when the entire global economy is in a slowdown, our economy is strengthened. Today we are proud that in this slow environment, when all the countries are struggling, India is the fastest growing economy among other economies,” he said.
Reaching out to Unions on government’s proposed labour reforms that will make it easier for companies to do business and lead to job creation, Jaitley said: “Even if we are a leader of any Union or a worker of any organisation, we should not decide on anything which would deter the economic activity or employment opportunities.” He said a high growth rate will always protect the workmen and interest of labour in the country.