Date:14/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/14/stories/2007121456051500.htm

National

Offer jobs to less privileged: Fernandes

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State for Labour (independent charge) Oscar Fernandes has asked the corporate sector to forge a new partnership for an inclusive growth by “offering” employment to the less privileged at all levels.

Speaking at the 42nd session of the Standing Labour Committee here on Thursday, Mr. Fernandes said corporate India must be a partner in making a more just society and consider investing in people and their skills by way of scholarships to promising young people. He said the employer and employee had to work in tandem to achieve the common objective of prosperity.

The Government is committed to working with industry to transform the country’s economy and social landscape. “We do not believe in an adversarial relationship with industry but in a genuine partnership and social responsibility has to be an integrated process implemented by the government and corporates in close association,” he said.

Opposing views

Referring to the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970, Mr. Fernandes said that while trade unions have demanded that the Act be amended to provide for automatic absorption of contract labour, the employers opposed it on the ground that it would lead to capital-intensive measures such as mechanisation, automation and result in a fall in employment.

Highlighting the importance of tripartite meetings, the Minister said these had shaped and influenced the labour policies.

The amendment to the Payment of Bonus Act resulted from the last labour conference. So were the changes to the welfare schemes such as Aam Admi Bima Yojana, Old Age Pension Scheme and the health insurance scheme, he said.