Speaking at the Inaugural Session of the CII National Conclave on Employee Relations today in Delhi, Mr Shankar Aggarwal, Secretary (Labour & Employment), Govt. of India said that the Government is committed to bring all the employees (formal and informal sector) under Social Security scheme. He added that in order to create an inclusive climate, Ministry is planning to introduce a law which will ensure minimum wages to be paid to every working class, irrespective of formal or informal sector.
Most of the current labour laws in India are old and archaic. Since the Industrial scenario has been undergoing a change, labour laws need to be changed to reflect the current economic requirements of the country. He said that Ministry of Labour is conscious of this need and hence has started several initiatives to consolidate and rationalize labour laws. He felt that India needs to create a facilitating environment for entrepreneurs to set-up their enterprise and run them hassle free. With the launch of Shram Suvidha we can register organization under various labour laws with one click of mouse, he added. He further emphasized that Government of India is committed to ensure Employment security, Wage Security and Social Security. He advocated for a continuous dialogue amongst all stakeholders to resolve issues so that the benefits of reforms reach last mile person.
Earlier Speaking at the Inaugural, Mr Pradeep Bhargava, Co-Chairman, CII National Committee on Industrial Relations said that India’s rise towards an inclusive and high-growth economy is predicated on unleashing the dynamism and productivity of its workers. He added that while the government has launched an extensive exercise to simplify and consolidate labour laws, we in industry will have to take greater responsibility and adopt “employee centric policies” to build trust and create an eco-system of harmonious industrial relations across the country. Rather than presenting the Charter of Demand all stakeholders should ask themselves what they would do to improve industrial relations.
Speaking at the conference Ms Pannuda Boonpala, Director, ILO India said that labour law reforms is complex and challenging task in any country. She said that ILO is appreciative of the initiatives taken by Ministry of Labour & Employment to bring flexibility in labour laws and planning social security measures for employees. Commenting on whether IR should be the boardroom agenda, she informed that recently Labour Ministers of G20 countries had a meeting in Turkey where all agreed that there is a need to further strengthen the dialogue process.
Mr Rajeev Dubey, Group President - HR and CEO (Aftermarket Sector), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd Employers need to view IR from a more strategic perspective, i.e., how IR can contribute to and promote workplace cooperation, flexibility, productivity and competitiveness.
26 November 2015
New Delhi