No optimism

I agree with the writer that there is a need for labour reforms to boost economic growth, but that growth should be growth with justice (“ >Far from sunny optimism ,” Nov.11). Labour reforms should be aimed at improving labour standards, increasing the collective bargaining power of workers and unifying labour laws. There seems to be very little concern for demands raised by labour and trade unions. For instance, the amendment in the Industrial Disputes Act made by Rajasthan makes hiring and firing simpler.

R.S. Charan ,

Jodhpur

When the mantras of “labour reform” and “regulatory reform” are constantly chanted, what they actually represent are nothing but euphemisms for the dilution, or even elimination of hard-fought labour and environmental safety laws. We need to be reminded of what reforms have actually done to workers in the developed world. With the election of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, organised and industrial labour suffered setbacks. Environmental laws suffered similar erosion. It is worth noting that corporations which treat labour poorly treat the environment the same way.

Another area of contention is in suggesting labour law reform to “permit women to work in night shifts”. Women should not be reduced to “nocturnal wage slaves” subservient to corporate capitalism.

G. Parameswaran ,

Coimbatore