Labour policy in six months

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JUNE 2. The Government will bring out a labour policy in about six months, the Labour Minister, Mr. Babu Divakaran, announced here today.

Addressing a `Meet-the-Press' programme, the Minister said the policy would be in tune with the industrial policy. The Industries Minister had told him that the new industrial policy would incorporate the positive aspects of the previous Government's policy, he said.

Mr. Divakaran said wide-ranging consultations would be held to formulate the policy. Issues like the `attimari' problem would be examined. Some measures had already been taken to regulate loading and unloading. However, further modifications would be required. Technocrats would be consulted on formulation of policies related to employment in the IT sector.

The Minister said he expected a revival of industrial activity in the State following the announcement of the policy. It was `now or never' as far as industrialisation of the State was concerned. A climate congenial to investment ought to be created.

Mr. Divakaran announced that the Government proposed to carry out a plan to make Kerala the first State free of child labour. The children freed from labour would be rehabilitated. He said the courses under various institutes under the Labour Department would be revamped on the basis of demand for skilled manpower from outside the country. An arrangement would be made for supply of labour on the basis of requirements intimated from companies abroad.

Efforts would be made to improve the functioning of the ESI hospitals. The funds available to the ESI hospitals for purchase of equipment now was inadequate. So, select hospitals would be developed as referral centres with advanced facilities.

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Section  : Southern States
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