ALL STAKE HOLDERS TO BE CONSULTED ON LABOUR REFORMS, SAYS LABOUR
MINISTER
The Labour Minister Shri Sharad Yadav
today assured the Rajya Sabha that all stake holders including
trade unions would be consulted before amending labour laws. Replying
to a discussion on the working of the Ministry of Labour in the
House today, Shri Yadav said that national interest as well as
the interests of all those to be affected would be kept in view
before amending the Industrial Disputes Act and the Contract Labour
Act. He said that the Contract Labour Act is still under discussion
by the Group of Ministers. Shri Yadav said that some of the labour
laws are too old and need to be amended. Sharing the concern of
the Members over increasing unemployment, the Labour Minister
said that Centre has launched new schemes like the Highway Project
and housing schemes that are expected to generate three crore
jobs. Regarding provision of social security to workers particularly
to those in the unorganised sector, Shri Yadav said that our endeavor
is to take the benefits to the grass roots level. He said that
Labour Ministry is trying to expand the five to six social security
schemes that are under operation at present. Shri Yadav said that
the Second National Commission on Labour under the Chairmanship
of former Labour Minister Shri Ravindar Verma is looking into
all these issues. He said the Commission is expected to give its
Report within two months. Shri Yadav complimented the trade unions
as well as employers for keeping a close watch on the Employees
Provident Fund. He said the Fund having second largest money reserve
in the country has remained free from any scam. He said that Employees
State Insurance Corporation would be setting up a model hospital
in each state for treatment of workers. He said that the corporation
would also be setting up too big hospitals having state of art
diagnostic and treatment facilities.
