Rights of workers will be protected: Govt

NEW DELHI: Amid its plans to rationalise labour laws, government today asserted in the Lok Sabha that the rights of the workers will be protected and any changes in the law will be made in consultation with stake holders.

"The rights of the workers will not be taken way," Labour and Employment Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said responding to questions.

In his written response, he said amendment to labour laws is an ongoing process and such amendments are made through tripartite consultations and taking the view of the stakeholders including the state governments into consideration.

"Government has initiated steps towards amalgation, simplification and rationalisation of Labour Laws into Labour Codes. The Labour Code on Wages amalgamates the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 and the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965," the minister said.

As a step towards moving for a uniform wage structure, as recommended by the National Commission on Rural Labour and to reduce the disparity in minimum wages across the country, the concept of national floor level minimum wage was mooted by the government in 1996 on a voluntary basis, he said.

"It is revised from time to time taking into account the increase in the consumer price index number. The floor level wage has been revised recently to Rs 160 per day with effect from July 1," he said.