Recommendations of the 43rd Indian Labour Conference

The Agenda of the 43rd Indian Labour Conference comprised of the following three subjects:

1. “Global financial down turn – its impact- job losses – comprehensive package for protection of labour force, etc.”

2. “Employment generation and skill development”

3. “Problems of contract labour, social security, wages, etc. and amendments in the contract labour legislation”

The recommendations of the three committees on the above subjects have duly been considered in detail by the Government.

As far as Global financial downturn and its impact on job losses is concerned, Government accepts the recommendations of the Conference that efforts should be made for job-rich growth. Government agrees that there should be strict implementation of all labour laws, broad-based social security depending on national circumstances, access to credit for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, traditional and export-oriented industries, extension of Public Distribution System for greater food security, better skill training, more investment in infrastructure, non-conventional renewable sources of energy, agro-based and labour-intensive industries for greater job creation. In view of the recommendations of the Conference, coverage of social protection schemes like Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana is continuously being expanded to cover more and more workers under the unorganized sector. Priority is being given to education and health care in rural areas. Regular meetings with the State governments are being conducted to ensure that more and more schemes are implemented for the welfare of construction workers under Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996. Tripartite mechanisms like Indian Labour Conference and Standing Labour Committee already exist in India. Government of India is committed to encourage tripartite mechanisms for greater social dialogue at all levels.

As far as employment generation and skill development is concerned, government has accorded top priority to both these areas. Focus is being given to employment generating sectors like agro-based and food processing industries specially in rural areas. The number of days under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme was increased from 100 days to 150 days for notified drought affected areas last year. This increase has been extended to notified flood affected areas of Uttarakhand this year. More focus is being given on micro and small industries and for facilitating self-employment. Skill development infrastructure in the country both in the formal and informal sectors is being strengthened by taking all possible steps to increase the employment and employability of workers in rural as well as urban areas.

As far as problems of contract labour are concerned, a proposal for an amendment in the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 for giving same wages and social security to contract workers which are at par with regular workers has already been initiated. The labour enforcement machinery is being strengthened through regular monitoring, follow up and capacity building for better implementation of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970.

In case of some of the recommendations, changes have to be made in law before they are accepted. The proposal for amendment of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 which inter-alia includes the proposal to fix national minimum floor level wages statutorily to cover all employments, has already been approved by the Cabinet. The draft Bill to give effect to the amendment proposals is being finalized in consultation with the Ministry of Law & Justice. An Amendment has also been proposed in The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 with a view to do away the criteria of 90 days’ work experience for registration under the Act.

The above information was submitted by Ministry of Labour and Employment in reply of undermentioned Rajya Sabha Question:-

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

RAJYA SABHA

ANSWERED ON-14.08.2013

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