Narendra Modi govt serving interests of employers: CPI(M)

NEW DELHI: CPI(M) today said the Narendra Modi government would continue to serve the interests of the employers in the name of labour reforms and its 'Shramev Jayate' programme meant "nothing much" for the working class.

Noting that the programme was billed as an end to 'Inspector Raj', the party said that despite inspections, "many labour laws and social security schemes like EPF and ESI were not being implemented for large chunk of workers. The new norms will only worsen the situation and encourage further violations by employers".

In a statement, the CPI(M) Politburo said the pronouncements on 'Shramev Jayate' programme "have to be seen linked with the labour law amendments" already moved by the Centre and state governments in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

"Some more proposals have been announced by the Government of India, which will amend the definition of small industries removing all establishments with 40 workers out of the purview of 14 very important labour laws," it said.

"In the name of Shramev Jayate, the Modi government is acting in the interests of investors and not workers. It is also condemnable that changes in labour laws and other moves, which affect the workers, are being implemented without even discussions with the trade unions," the Left party said.

Observing that the programme launched by the Prime Minister yesterday "means nothing much to the working people in the country", it said the Universal Account Number for Employees Provident Fund Subscribers facilitating portability in case of change in employment was being worked out for the last few years. "The present government has just signalled its implementation."

CPI(M) said it fully supported the protest actions by the central trade unions and national federations of employees against the "anti-worker amendments in labour laws".