The Hindu : National : Labour laws to be re-examined

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 28, 2004

National

National

Labour laws to be re-examined

By Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 27 . The Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) released here today has recognised the need for some changes in the labour laws but said that the changes would fully protect the interests of workers and their families.

``All changes must take place after full consultation with trade unions and the UPA will pursue a dialogue with industry and trade unions on this issue before coming up with specific proposals,'' the CMP said, while pointing out that the labour laws other than the Industrial Disputes Act that created an `Inspector Raj,' would be re-examined and procedures harmonised and streamlined.

Rejecting the idea of automatic hire and fire, the CMP said that the UPA Government was firmly committed to ensuring the welfare of all workers, particularly those in the unorganised sector who constitute 93 per cent of the work force. Social security, health insurance and other schemes for weavers, leather workers, plantation labour, and beedi workers would be expanded.

The UPA Government firmly believes that labour-management relations must be marked by consultations, cooperation and consensus, not confrontation.

Tripartite consultations with trade unions and industry on all proposals concerning them will be actively pursued. Rights and benefits earned by workers, including the right to strike according to law, will not be taken away or curtailed, the CMP points out.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National