The Kerala NGO Union has expressed concern over the Narendra Modi government’s attempt to bring about changes to the labour laws of the country.
A resolution adopted by the ongoing State conference of the union in Palakkad termed the new proposals draconian. “The Union government has proposed to integrate the three labour laws into a single code. The three laws are — the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947; the Trade Unions Act, 1926; and the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946. If the staff strength of a company is up to 300, then the firm can fire its employee(s) without any notice. The proposed law will also make it tougher to form workers’ unions. At least 10 per cent of the employees or 100 workers are required to register a trade union,” the resolution said.
The union expressed solidarity with trade unions which are planning nationwide protests against the move. “The government’s desperation to please corporate companies is evident as they are rushing through bills such as the Industrial Relations Code, Small Factories and Employees’ Provident Fund in the name of ease of doing business and boosting the ‘Make in India’ programme. Among other labour laws, the government wants to bring new laws for small factories which employed less than 40 workers. This bill is an attempt to dilute the social security net and curtail workers’ rights available under the existing legal framework,” the resolution said.
Centre of Indian Trade Unions all-India president A.K. Padmanabhan inaugurated the meet on Sunday. It will conclude on Tuesday. The meeting elected P.H.M. Ismail as the new president and T.C. Mathukutty as general secretary of the union.
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