Amidst growing instances of labour unrest in Tamil Nadu, the state government today said it could consider enacting a legislation making it mandatory for foreign firms to recognise trade unions.
Asserting that his government was not anti-labour, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said during a discussion in the Assembly that “neither this government, nor DMK, is against protests by trade unions.” However, he said no one could accept the protests if they were violent or resulted in damage to property.
Labour Minister T. M. Anbarasan said only Maharashtra and West Bengal had enacted legislation regarding recognition of trade unions mandatory.
“A committee has been formed which will visit these states to study the legislation. We will consider a similar legislation once this committee submits its report,” he said.
Tamil Nadu, dotted with manufacturing units of multi-national corporations, has been witnessing strikes and sit-in protests on issues ranging from wage disputes to recognition of trade unions.
