BMS to raise with govt RSS concerns over job losses

New Delhi: Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), the trade wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, is set to raise with the government on Wednesday the issue of growing apprehension in RSS that companies might increasingly opt for automation and artificial intelligence (AI) after the lockdown which could lead to a drastic fall in employment. The labour ministry has called a meeting with trade unions on Wednesday to take their views on the post-lockdown scenario. It had held a joint meeting with trade unions and the industry on May 1 in order to understand the grievances of both sides.

“Automation agencies and AI or robotics are in a primary stage in India. However, after the lockdown, there could be more demand for that. This wouldn’t be good for the workers or the youths who would enter job market in the coming days,” Saji Narayanan, national president of BMS, told ET. “There should be a system of controlling, licensing and regulation of automation agencies and AI consultants in India. India needs a labour intensive sector to offer more employment.” Narayanan said once a unit gets automated it results in an immediate loss of jobs. “If it spreads across the country, it means drastic fall in employment,” he said.

Referring to news reports that migrant workers were being asked to pay for their travel back home, the BMS national president said, “It is a complete violation of the law. There is currently a panic situation and if you are asking them to pay the train charge, how can you expect them to come back. Rather they should be incentivised monetarily so that they can come back.” BMS feels that Covid-19 will open up new opportunities for Indian industries as many businesses would like to shift base to India. In such a scenario, the country should be prepared to fast-track new opportunities so that quick employment generation takes place, said Narayanan.


BMS is also worried about social security of employees under the work from home option. “If there is no employee at the workplace, how can one facilitate the working of labour laws like ESI (Employees’ State Insurance) and EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund), which are meant for welfare and social security of the employees,” said Virjesh Upadhyay, general secretary, BMS.