GOVERNMENT IS COMMITED TO THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATIONS
AND DISCUSSIONS ON THE SENSITIVE ISSUE OF LABOUR REFORMS - DR.
SAHIB SINGH
UNORGANIZED SECTOR WORKERS'
BILL 2003 AND A BILL ON WORKERS PARTICIPATION IN MANAGEMENT WILL
BE INTRODUCED IN THE CURRENT SESSION OF PARLIAMENT
Union Labour Minister, Dr. Sahib Singh
said that the Government is committed to the process of consultations
and discussions on the sensitive issue of labour reforms. Labour
Minister was inaugurating the two-day meeting of tripartite social
partners on the report of the second National Commission on Labour
at V.V. Giri National Labour Institute at NOIDA today. He further
said that I have personally discussed the recommendations of the
Commission with all the Trade Unions, Employers' representatives
and other eminent personalities. He said as per the suggestion
of the stakeholders the meeting is divided into four technical
sessions focussed on Comprehensive Social Security; Skill
Development And Training; Industrial Relations;
and Social Protection For Unorganised Sector Workers.
The Minister hoped that the deliberations should serve the interests
of the workers and help change in the mindset of the Trade Unions,
Employer representatives and other eminent personalities to evolve
a conducive environment for growth of organized sector and industry.
He said that interest of the workers of unorganised sector are
very paramount before the Government for which he is bringing
Unorganised Sector Workers Bill 2003 in the current session of
the Parliament. He also informed that a Bill on workers participation
in management would also be introduced in the current session
of the Parliament.
Dr. Sahib Singh underlined the fact that skill
development and training plays a major role in this era of economic
liberalization and globalization. A follow-up action has also
been taken by Directorate General Employment and Training (DGET)
on some of the recommendations of the second Labour Commission.
He also informed that he has already written to the Finance Minister
for providing tax benefits and concessions in the field of vocational
and apprentice training. New ITIs are being opened up as a result
of the special drive launched by DGET, which has got enthusiastic
response from various States.
The Labour Minister pointed out that it would
need strenuous efforts to bring the workers of unorganized workers
in the social security scheme. The involvement NGOs, self-help
groups and cooperation from private institutions would be required
to make it a success. He, therefore, appealed to workers organisation,
employers and other eminent persons to combine their efforts with
the Government to help generate a conducive atmosphere by successfully
evolving and implementing labour reforms.
The Labour Ministry has taken several steps to
implement the recommendations of the second Labour commission.
The Union Labour Minister addressed letter to the Chief Ministers
of all States on 13.11.2002 advising them to initiate appropriate
action to rationalize the labour laws falling within their purview.
The Labour Secretary also wrote a similar letter on 15.11.2002
to Chief Secretaries of all States. In order to crystallize the
view of the Government, the present Tripartite Committee Meeting
has been convened to deliberate on certain crucial recommendations,
which are of direct relevance to labour, industry and economy.
