Hyderabad: Assuring that the proposed reforms to labour laws by Narendra Modi government will not in any way affect the interests of the labour class, Union labour and employment minister Bandaru Dattatreya said that in fact, it will bring more accountability and transparency and ensure more industrial production to boost the economy.
In an interaction with this newspaper on Saturday, the minister said Industrial Disputes and Trade Unions Acts are presently exempted from reforms due to sensitivities attached.
“Reforms will be both employer and employee friendly. We cannot compromise on issues concerning the labour at any cost,” Mr Dattatreya said.
He said there is a false campaign going on in the country especially from the Left parties that the labour class is going to be affected due to these reforms.
He said much work was already done by Mr Modi before his induction into the Union Cabinet, adding that efforts are on to cut inspections by labour department officials of firms, instead an online inspection system is being introduced to curtail complaints from employers of harassment by officials under the guise of inspections.
The minister said skill development will be the key area of focus by the government in order to build a competitive market for the labour class to grow economically.
“Although there are 4.30 crore construction workers in the country, there are only 8 per cent skilled workers. We intend to bring major reforms in skill development.
There are 12,800 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the country. The plan is to make +10 the minimum qualification for ITI and after two years of skill training those interested can opt for IIT (Indian Institute of Technology).
Hence, persons joining IITs will have practical knowledge beforehand. If we do that, India will emerge as a nation with more skilled technocrats than any other nation,” Mr Dattatreya said.
People of India have imposed their confidence in BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and they have high expectations from Mr Narendra Modi.
"We have to do so many things to boost the economy as well as industrial productivity that took a beating during the 10 year rule of UPA, and Mr Modi expects all of us (Union ministers) to deliver quickly, which we will," assured the minister.
