Date:12/11/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/11/12/stories/2005111201411900.htm

Back Seminar on labour agenda on Nov 18 in Kochi

Our Bureau

Kochi , Nov. 11

THE Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Institute of Personnel Management, Kerala Chapter, are organising a one-day seminar on November 18 at Hotel International to debate and evolve a pragmatic agenda for labour to be a positive catalyst in Kerala's growth.

The seminar aims to explore the relevance and need for labour law reforms; analyse the draft report of National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council; understand the President's 10-point agenda for Kerala; create awareness for the "inevitable mindset change" of the Keralite; and pool the ideas of leaders of all segments of the society for Kerala's growth based on its rich and vast human resources.

Mr Babu Divakaran, the State Labour Minister, will inaugurate the seminar.

The Kerala model of growth is widely acclaimed as a healthy pattern internationally and the State's human development index is comparable with developed countries. However, commensurate economic development is not visible in the State.

Even though the service sector is growing, the agricultural sector is practically stagnant and the industrial sector is yet to take off. The foremost factor that has retarded Kerala's leap is the negative perception of labour in the State.

The seminar will try to make a conscious and joint effort by all concerned to change this image by taking concrete steps. Kerala cannot miss the bus anymore, said a release issued by the Chamber.