Trade unions plan to move ILO about states' proposed changes in labour laws

Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 11

Ten central trade unions are considering lodging a joint complaint to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) against changes in labour laws by state governments to give relaxation to establishments/employers undertaken with the tacit support of the Centre.

The labour unions in question are Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)---the trade union affiliated to the Indian National Congress---All India Trade Union Congress; Hind Mazdoor Sabha; Centre for Indian Trade Unions, the trade union wing Communist Party of India, All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Coordination Centre(TUCC); Self Employed Women’s Association, All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), an organisation affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist),  Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), the labour wing of the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham and United Trade Union Congress.

A joint forum of the 10 unions said Uttar Pradesh government had used the country’s flagging economy as an excuse to bring in an ordinance to free employers of any obligations for a period of three years.

The governments of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have also voiced their their intention to do the same, and reports suggest that other governments are gearing up to follow suit.

“The changes are being rung unilaterally in violation of ILO convention of tripartite discussions involving workers (through their unions), employers and the governments, and other regulations,” the forum said in a statement.

“The changes come after the decision of six state governments to increase the working hours of workers from statutory and international norm of eight hours to 12 hours per day,” the statement said, adding that they fear this could make employers freely and arbitrarily use the “hire and fire” strategy.

 lso, the labour department will have no say in the functioning of the factory units in the new dispensation in the states.