Trade unions divided over changes in labour laws

Ravi S Singh

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Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 24

The meeting convened by Union Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar to finalise the rules proposed under the four Labour Codes passed by Parliament saw a sharp difference of opinion. While some members of the Central Trade Unions (CTUs) were in attendance, others chose to skip the meet.

The meeting was “Tripartite” consisting of representatives of workers, employers and government.

While Left-leaning unions and those against the BJP skipped the meeting, RSS-affiliated BMS and three others attended it.

Those who kept off included INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA,AICCTU, UTUC and LPF.

The four codes are on wage; industrial relations; social security and occupational safety, and health and working conditions. During the meeting, the BMS demanded that the wage definition limiting allowances to 50 per cent of the total salary should not be frozen under the Wage Code.

BMS functionary Pawan Kumar said overtime with double wages should be provided. Also, a family should consist of six units for the purpose of calculating minimum wages.

The BMS also rooted for reinstatement of Wage Board for journalists. It also protested against the proposed categorisation of “metro”, “non-metro” and “rural” rates as they will promote regional inequality leading to migration workers to metros for higher wages.

The BMS protested against restriction of formation of unions and their activities in companies.

CITU’s national secretary Amitava Guha said 20 unions did not attend the meeting as they were against the government’s bid to complete the discussion in just one day through video-conference.