Govt. Employees National Confederation
(Affiliated to B.M.S)

Ref: GENC/Cor/193(8/2/L)

Date : 08.05.2020

To
The Cabinet Secretary
Rashtrapati Bhawan
New Delhi – 110 004

Through (1) Email: cabinet@nic.in
(2) Fax : 011-23012835

Kind Attn : Shri Rajiv Gauba, IAS

Sub : Changes / Suspension of Labour Laws by several States.

Sir,

As reported in media, several states are changing/ suspending labour laws to the inconvenience of the workforce of the Nation and hence we write this for your kind intervention so that humanity is not crucified at the alter of business.

As you are aware, the International Labour Organisation has passed the “Hours of Work (Industry) Convention 1919” and the same has been ratified by India in 1921 thus making it obligatory on the part of India to honour its commitments to restrict hours of work to not more than 8 (eight) hours per day or maximum 48 hours per week.

Also check: DA to be released immediately according to Delhi High Court judgment. Court case on DA, and the petitioner won

However, taking advantage of the fact that the subject is covered under the “concurrent list”, several State Governments are arbitrarily changing the law to increase the working hour per day to 12 hours and some state governments are also proposing to suspending all labour law for 1000 days, all these in the name of encouraging /attracting Industries in their respective states.

The Covid-19 Pandemic is unprecedented and to cope up with the situation patience and compassion is needed, particularly when India is a welfare state and a democracy.

It may be appreciated that in any industry, there are 5 elements of a cost of product viz: Direct Labour, Direct Material, Direct Expenses, Factory Overheads, and, Distribution & Selling and Administrative overheads. The cost of labour is hardly 10 percent of the total cost of product and in spite of this it is the labour which has become an epicenter of discrimination.

As is evident from various press reports, the workforce in the unorganized sector, which comprises 90% of the workforce of this country are virtually left at the mercy of circumstances with the implementation agencies being a total failure in ensuring even the statutory minimum wages. Thus, under such circumstances, any changes and/ or suspension of Labour laws will result in devastation of humanity per se.

Under the compulsion of competition, it appears the State governments have categorized labour as a “commodity” and are blatantly misusing their powers to browbeat this important element of human race.

The prevailing circumstances compel us to remind that the Principles of ILO as expressed in its preamble to the founding documents states that “Labour is not a commodity, people should not be treated as inanimate commodities…. People who work for a living should be treated as human beings and accorded dignity and respect.”

In view of the seriousness of the issue, we urge the central government to play a proactive role and ensure that States stop taking advantage of the “concurrent” list scenario and change and/or suspend operation of labour laws. Necessary directives/advisories may be issued by the Centre immediately.

Thanking You,

Yours Truly

(SADHU SINGH)
Secretary General
Member (Staff Side)
National Council JCM

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BSNL to pay gratuity to Casual Labourers:

BSNL Corporate office has issued an order to sought the details regarding engagement details of casual labourers from all Circles for extension of gratuity to casual labourers.  The text of BSNL order is reproduced below:-

F.No.11-3/2014-LE

To

All Heads of Circles,

BSNL

Subject- Extension of gratuity to casual labourers -details regarding engagement details of casual labourers – reg

Sir,

The matter may be treated as URGENT.

Source: http://www.bsnleuchq.com/190820150001.pdf

The post BSNL to pay gratuity to Casual Labourers appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

47th Session of Standing Labour Committeerevises agenda for 46th Session of Indian Labour Conference

In a meeting held here on 10th July,2015 , 47th Session of Standing Labour Committee shortlisted agenda items for
detailed deliberation in the 46th Session of Indian Labour Conference.

The post Amendment in Bonus Act: Agenda of Indian Labour Conference appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Changes in Britain: A law was recently implemented in Britain, one of the developed countries of the world. Employees working in factories and offices cannot be henceforth compelled to report to work at only a particular time. The law states that the employees shall be given flexi-time options to report to work at times that suit them and complete their tasks. For a casual observer, it might look as if the law is very pro-employee and anti-employer. But the law is actually intended to step up productivity. Experts in Britain felt that insisting on being seated for long hours or compelling workers to report to duty at a particular time or do only a particular task could be counterproductive. The changes were brought forth as a result.

Flexi-time work hours: The Indian Government too is planning to make similar changes in its labour laws. Changes like these, also known as “Flexible Working Hours”, are very likely to be implemented in India too, especially in the manufacturing sectors in order to step up the productivity. But these changes will be brought forth in such a manner that they bring forth the true potentials of the employees.

Also, changes like bringing in more and more workers within the minimum-wages slab, increasing overtime, enabling women to work in night shifts in factory environments, are also going to be implemented. The reforms are intended to minimize friction between the management and employees and thus increase productivity. As far as India is concerned, such reforms are only rarely implemented in the service sector, and almost never in the manufacturing sectors. Although India is the world’s third largest economy, more than 56% of the productivity comes from the service sector. Only 15% of the country’s productivity comes from the industrial and manufacturing sectors. In comparison, more than 45% of China’s productivity comes from its industrial workers.
The Government believes that there could be a tremendous increase in the country’s productivity by implementing reforms in the labour laws.

Source: CGEN.in
[http://centralgovernmentemployeesnews.in/2014/07/centre-plans-changes-in-labour-laws-flexible-working-hours/]

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