Zero-strike work culture has resulted in no days loss: Moloy Ghatak

A zero-strike work culture has resulted in ‘zero’ man days loss in West Bengal and recorded a striking reduction in industrial accidents in the past five years, said Moloy Ghatak, minister for labour & ESI, law and judicial services, West Bengal at the Industry Trade Union Dialogue Forum organised by CII.

“In the past five years Bengal has attained zero loss in man days due to practice of a no-strike environment,” said Ghatak. The government is now actively participating in direct negotiations and probable actions are taken within 24-48 hrs. We are trying to reopen all closed units by facilitating dialogues with trade unions and management. We called a tripartite meeting where all the 32 trade unions of the jute industry and 29 trade unions of the tea industry took part,” added Ghatak.

The minister added that another important achievement of the new government is the reduction of industrial accidents by 50% with figures going down from 97 in 2010 to 38 in 2015. Moreover, more than 2000 new industries have got registered in the state, thus indicating a positive growth with 15592 registered industries in 2011 to 17635 in 2015.

West Bengal today is one of the few states in the country which offers harmonious and conducive work environment, with virtually no strikes and lock-outs,” said Nadeem Kazim, chairman, CII Eastern Region HR-IR Subcommittee.

Jawaid Akhtar, labour commissioner, West Bengal, said, “A continuous industry-trade union dialogue can not only bridge the gap between the management and the workforce but also build an enduring bond between them. We must not forget that the unorganized sector constitutes about 93% workforce as a result of which tensions occur. Trade unions have a supportive role to play in resolving industrial disputes.” All information regarding labour facilities can be accessed online.