The Union Government’s proposal to “tamper” with the existing labour laws would have a disastrous impact on the vulnerable working class segment in India. The proposal envisages dismantling controls and restrictions that hinder industrial growth and making it simpler for entrepreneurship to thrive. While no one denies that industrial activity must have an impetus, this move could lead to unchecked exploitation of the working class resulting in social unrest. While India has benevolent, employee-friendly enterprises both large and small, we have several cases of employee exploitation, violation of safety norms and other unfair practices with Bhopal gas tragedy being one high profile example. While a robust GDP is a definite plus, we should not end up with a set of laws that are too tilted towards the ruling class and the corporate sector with little or no concern for the poor and working classes. The benefits of growth have to empower the grassroots and we have to strive for inclusive growth. One sincerely hopes that the Government will consult all stakeholders – political parties, policy makers, representatives of the working class and legal experts to arrive at a win-win situation and no decision is taken in a hurry.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:19:00 +0000