Trade unions strongly protested against some of the proposed amendments to labour laws stating that these “unilateral” reforms are anti-worker. “These labour reforms are unilateral and anti-worker. We are most likely to decide the date for nationwide strike at the national convention of central trade union on May 26,” All India Trade Union Congress Secretary D L Sachdev said.
Twelve unions are attending a meeting called by the government to discuss their 10-point agenda and issues relating to certain proposed amendments to labour laws, which were opposed by them.
“This government is not giving any heed to labour issues. Two of the ministers came late. They are not dealing with labour issues,” Centre of Indian Trade Unions President A K Padmanabhan said.
Hind Mazdoor Sabha Secretary A D Nagpal, another leader said: “The central trade unions are likely to decide the date of strike on May 26. We have opposed these so called labour reforms.”
Unions have been opposing certain proposed labour law amendments which encourage hire and fire and makes it tougher to form labour unions and diluting the existing social security net available to the workers.
Trade unions have been resisting several changes made to the existing labour laws besides attempting to introduce new laws stating that the government is rushing through bills like Industrial Relations Code, Small Factories and Employees' Provident Fund in the name of ease of doing business and boosting 'Make in India' program.
The meeting was attended by BJP-backed Bharatiya Mazdoor Singh, Indian National Trade Union Congress, All India Trade Union Congress, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, All India United Trade Union Centre, All India Central Council of Trade Unions, Trade Union Coordination Committee (TUCC), United Trade Union Congress (UTUC), Self-Employed Women's Association of India (SEWA) and the Labour Progressive Federation (LPF).
The three union ministers who have met the trade union leaders for discussion are labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya, petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan and power minister Piyush Goyal.
By Premji
