People's Democracy

  CITU Faults Cabinet Decision To Amend Labour Laws

THE Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) took exception to the sudden and unilateral decision by the union cabinet approving of introducing a Bill in parliament to amend the Labour Laws (Exemption from furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) Act 1988 and also to amend the Scheduled Acts. The move for amending the concerned law is reportedly aimed at simplifying the forms of returns and registers prescribed under certain labour laws.

In a statement issued on May 12, the CITU stated that the government, while making this move, did not bother to consult the trade unions and thus faulted in identifying the priority. “The fact remains that for majority of the establishments in the country, labour laws are not being properly implemented and in particular, employment registers are not being maintained and regular returns are not being filed as required by the statute. Proliferation of contract labour system of different forms in all the workplaces has given an easy escape route to the principal employers awarding the contracts to evade the obligatory provision of maintaining employment register covering all the workers deployed in workplaces.  Dismantling of the inspection machineries in most of the states and reliance on the self-certification by the employers in respect of compliance of labour laws, all under the spurious plea of investment-friendliness, has led to virtual anarchy by the employers in the field of labour law implementation”, the CITU noted.

 
Calling for the legislative initiative in the fields of labour law to prioritise on proper implementation of the existing laws through pro-active and fully equipped enforcement machinery, the CITU underlined the necessity of aiming at arresting the disastrous trend of promoting evasion by the employers. “The idea of simplification of the procedures and forms for better compliance is no doubt a well-meaning measure. But such simplification should not lead to legitimising certain undesirable and unlawful activities by sections of employers in violation of labour laws”, it stated.

The CITU reminded the UPA government of its own commitment in the CMP: “The UPA rejects the idea of automatic hire and fire. It recognises that some changes in labour laws may be required but such changes must fully protect the interests of workers and families and must take place after full consultation with trade unions.” Saying that the present cabinet decision reneges on this commitment, the CITU urged the government to strictly go by the letter and spirit of this CMP commitment. (INN)