New labour codes give a free hand to employers: unions

Policy talks: Minister Rameswar Teli meeting ILO D-G Gilbert F. Houngbo in Singapore on Tuesday. Twitter/@Rameswar_Teli

International workers’ groups criticise Centre’s policies at ILO regional meeting in Singapore, say workers demand a new social contract

A.M. JIGEESH

 

SINGAPORE

International workers’ groups criticised the Centre’s labour policies, including the four new labour codes, at the 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) of the International Labour Organization (ILO), which began here on Tuesday.

India’s new labour codes violate the tripartite agreements — among workers, employers and the government — and give a free hand to employers, alleged Felix Anthony, workers’ representative in the APRM and senior leader of the International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC).

Speaking at a session of the APRM, Mr. Anthony added that trade unions in India had been opposing such policies.

The power of inspection has been left with employers through the new codes, and it will threaten the tripartite system in the country, he said, adding that the workers are asking for a new social contract. “A contract with governments and employers, particularly at the national level. A contract which is based on the availability of decent jobs for all; respect of rights for all; fair wages including minimum wage; adequate and easily available social protection; respect for equality; inclusiveness and no forms of any discrimination,” he said.

Hiro Matsui, vice-president of the International Organisation of Employers’ Asia chapter, said that declining productivity growth had a negative impact on workers, on the sustainability of enterprises — especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises — on economies, and on communities.

Intervening in a discussion on the report tabled by ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, Minister of State for Labour Rameswar Teli said India had the largest youth population in the world and it was observing a technological and entrepreneurial boom with start-ups and small businesses mushrooming across the country.

He said that 90% of the workforce belonged to the unorganised sector and there were persistent challenges of low-paid jobs and poor working conditions.

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