Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya to talk to unions on proposed protest

HYDERABAD: Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya today said he would hold talks with trade unions who have planned a nationwide protest on December 5 against the alleged anti-worker policies of the NDA government.

"I will organise a meeting and discuss what are their objections and why they are protesting and will try for a solution," Dattatreya, who holds independent charge of the labour ministry, said during a 'Meet the Press' organised by the Indian Journalists Union and Telangana Union of Working Journalists here.

The central trade unions have called for a protest on December 5 against the alleged anti-worker policies like shifting to a system of self-certification by industries, replacing mandatory inspections.

Stressing that the government is committed to welfare of workers and employees, Dattatreya said the government would like to see that the funds due to them are directly deposited in their bank accounts.

Observing that skill development and vocational training would brighten the employment prospects of workmen, he said imparting vocational training would be a focus area for him.

The ' Shramev Jayate' launched by the Narendra Modi government is aimed at preventing exploitation of labourers and promoting industrial growth, he said.

The government is making efforts to simplify labour laws and end arbitrariness in inspections of factories and other industrial units, he said.

Dattatreya, an MP from Telangana, said he would work for the welfare of lakhs of beedi workers and others in the newly-carved state.