Unions asked to call off protests over reforms

NEW DELHI: Union labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya on Friday appealed to trade unions to call off their protests against the government's labour reforms initiatives, saying he will soon call a tripartite meeting to discuss the issues raised by them.

The appeal came on a day when 12 trade unions, including the RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Congress-backed Indian National Trade Union Congress and CPM-affiliated Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) observed a day-long protest against the government's recent “anti-labour“ initiatives.

“I appeal to trade unions to consider the new initiatives of the government, especially the ones related to providing employment.Going forward, we will take trade unions in confidence and call a tripartite meeting with them soon,“ Dattatreya said.

The minister said that trade unions have been “misinformed“ about the labour law reforms proposed by the government.

“There is a misinformation campaign going on. As labour minister, it is my duty to protect the interests of the workers and my priority is to enhance employability, accountability and transparency,“ he said.

In a meeting with the minister on November 19, the trade unions had presented a 12-point agenda for the labour ministry to consider, but the government went ahead with its reforms proposal, getting crucial amendments to two of the three Acts laid in Parliament passed by both the Houses.

Trade unions have opposed a provision in the Factories Act that allows female workers to do night shifts.

They also claim that a move to double overtime hours will give more liberty to employers.