‘Labour reforms will lead to job creation’
In its first year, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has introduced a slew of labour reforms, some of which have been strongly criticised by trade unions. Labour and Employment Minister BANDARU DATTATREYA tells Somesh Jha and
Indivjal Dhasmana the government is in no hurry to bring in contentious labour reforms, adding it will first try to get labour unions on board. He says trade unions have to adapt to the new environment, as only then will there be employment generation. Edited excerpts:
How has the first year of the labour ministry under the NDA government been?
The first year has given a clear indication that this government is committed to safeguarding the interests of workers. At the same time, employment generation, employability and ease of doing business are also necessary. The thrust is to create harmonious relations between employers and employees and this message has been clearly given by the government in its first year. Both industry and trade unions need more transparency and accountability, which had been declining by the day earlier. The Modi government wants to protect workers’ rights and create employability. For that, we need to take steps towards ease of doing business.
Trade unions are saying they’ll call for a strike on May 26.
Lastweek, we held a meeting with them at our ministry. Earlier, they had presented us a charter of demands. We called a meeting to inform them of the government’s actions in the past 10 months. They told us all the national trade unions are meeting on May 26. There were a lot of issues and we are sorting those out.
Trade unions say the government organised a meeting only to stop them from calling a strike.
These meetings are an ongoing process. This time, we had called two Union ministers (Power Minister Piyush Goyal and Petroleum Minister Dhamendra Pradhan) to participate because some issues were relevant to them, too. I will take up this matter with the prime minister after his return. I will bring to the notice of the PM a summary of the meetings and our action on those.
Will you do that before May 26?
Naturally! We are already doing this exercise. Three ministers have examined their demands but trade unions have already scheduled a national convention. We can’t do anything about that. We can only explain. I will first talk to the PM and then see till May 25.
Do you think it is fair on the part of trade unions to call for a strike on May 26? Will you convince them against it?
It is not a question of convincing them. In terms of their 10-point charter of demands, we are close to fulfilling fourfive. A few other demands need lengthy discussions. We have been working on these for the past six months.
Among the labour reforms suggested by your ministry, trade unions are against relaxation in the hire-and-fire provisions. How will you persuade the month is front?
This is a continuous process. There should be some consensus. Trade unions want their suggestions to be taken into account at the time of amending the laws. We’ve told them we will examine the laws once again and a final decision is yet to be taken. At our tri-partite meetings, most state governments and employers were in favour of our labour law changes. Trade unions are very apprehensive about changes to the new small factories Bill and the industrial relations Bill. We have to bring them on board slowly. We are not putting much pressure right now. They are very friendly with me and we have always had good discussions. I feel they will come on board slowly, not immediately. This is a winwin situation for both employees and employers.
ONLY AFTER THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS BILL IS PASSED BY PARLIAMENT WILL THERE BE AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE FOR WORKERS...WE WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THIS IS NOT AN ANTI-LABOUR GOVT