NITI Aayog convenes meeting with trade unions and industry bodies on employment generation

NEW DELHI: NITI Aayog has convened a meeting of five central trade unions as well as industry chambers on Tuesday to discuss labour issues and explore ways of improving employment generation in the country.

The meeting by government's premier think-tank when labour ministry is already holding discussions is seen as an attempt to reinstate government's pro worker image as it comes just ahead of the monsoon session of the Parliament.

Vice chairman of the Aayog Arvind Panagariya will chair the meeting which will also see participation from industry chambers like CII, Ficci and Assocham, apart from Finance Ministry official.

The five trade unions invited for the meeting include the RSS-affiliate Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, the Indian National Trade Union Congress, the All India Trade Union Congress and the Hind Mazdoor Sabha.

While the agenda is not clearly spelt out, unions feel issues across the board could be discussed, important being the government's intent to hike EPFO invetsment in equity and the upcoming amendment to labour laws.

Labour ministry is contemplating to increase the investment of Employees Provident Fund Organisation into stock market beyond 5% at the behest of finance ministry, which has been strongly opposed by unions.

Besides, the ministry is all set to table at least three legislation in the Parliament in the upcoming session, starting from July 18, other than the amendment to the Child Labour Act pending in Parliament. Besides, Cabinet has recently approved the model Shop & Establishment Act which paves way for malls to remain open all night.

While the government is projecting the model law as an effort to create more jobs in the country, trade unions have been protesting over it saying it will lead to over exploitation of labour.