No promise from PM at trade union meet

TRADE UNION SOURCES SAID THE PM WAS SILENT ON THE PROPOSED SWEEPING REFORMS IN THE LABOUR SECTOR

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first meeting with trade union leaders failed to make any headway as the trade unions alleged that the interaction didn’t result into any firm commitment from the PM. The trade union leaders later told HT that they are going ahead with their general strike on September 2.

Trade union sources said the PM was silent on the proposed sweeping reforms in the labour sector that is even opposed by RSSaffiliated trade union Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh.

Modi, according to union leaders, insisted that the tripartite relationship between unions, industries and the government must continue. He also refuted All India Trade Union Congress leader Gurudas Dasgupta’s charge that his first such interaction was a “belated effort”. The PM pointed out that during the previous regime, the then PM Manmohan Singh had met trade union leaders at least twice. While BMS leader BN Rai said the government has not paid heed to several problems of the workers, Centre of Indian Trade Unions general secretary Tapan Sen maintained that the government is more concerned about ease of business than the human survival of workers.

The PM’s first such meeting comes a day before he is set to address the Indian Labour Conference on Monday. Earlier in the day, finance minister Arun Jaitley-led ministerial panel held talks with trade unions on various issues like hike in minimum wages, uniform pay structure in similar jobs and violation of labour rights.