Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Labour & Employment
27-August-2015 21:05 IST
Inter Ministerial Committee Holds Wider Consultations with Trade Unions on Charter of Demands Appeals to Reconsider Proposed Call for Strike in View of Discussions
The Second meeting of Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) continued
discussion on 12 Demands Charter of Trade Unions for the second day
here today in continuation of discussions held yesterday. The
Committee comprises Shri Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister, Shri Bandaru
Dattatreya, MoS(IC) Labour and Employment, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan,
MOS(IC) Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Jitendra Singh, MoS DOPT, and
Shri Piyush Goel, MoS (IC),Power. During the discussions Trade Unions
expressed concern and asked for clarifications on their demands.
Addressing their concerns and expectations, the Finance Minister
explained policies on which the Government is working and assured that
the Government is committed to welfare of labour. Underlining the
importance of role of Trade Unions, Shri Jaitely assured the Central
Trade Unions that all labour laws reforms will be done with due
discussions and tripartite consultations.
In view of the discussions held in conducive and cordial atmosphere, the
IMC appealed to Trade Unions to reconsider the proposed call for strike
on 2nd September, 2015.The Trade Unions have agreed to consider the
appeal.
In view of the suggestions given by Central Trade Unions in the meetings
held on 19th July, 26th August and 27th August, 2015, the Government
assured the following :
1. Appropriate legislation for making formula based minimum wages
mandatory and applicable to all employees across the country.
2. For the purposes of bonus the wage eligibility limit and
calculation ceiling would be appropriately revised. Earlier in 2006-07
the calculation ceiling was decided at Rs.3500/- and eligibility limit
was wage of Rs.10,000/- per month which is proposed to be revised to
Rs.7,000 and Rs.21,000 respectively.
3. The Government is expanding the coverage of social security and
working out ways to include construction workers, Aanganwari workers
,ASHA workers and Mid Day Meal workers.
4. Regarding contract workers the Government assured that they
will be guaranteed minimum wages. Moreover, the Government is working
out ways so that workers of industries will get sector specific minimum
wages.
5. Government has already enhanced minimum pension for EPFO
members and every pensioner gets minimum pension of Rs.1000/- per month
perpetually.
6. Labour laws reforms will be based on tripartite consultations
as already stated by the Prime Minister. The States are also being
advised to follow the tripartite process.
7. For strict adherence to labour law enforcement, advisory has
been issued to the State/UT Governments and strict monitoring has been
initiated by Central Government.
8. For employment generation Mudra Yojana, Make in India, Skill
India and National Career Service Portal initiatives have been taken.
9. Abolition of interviews for all primary jobs which do not
require any special knowledge/expertise, is being done for transparency
and expediting the process of recruitment.
10. Inflation is lowest in the last many years excepting two items
onion and pulses. Government is taking necessary steps to contain the
higher prices of these two commodities also.
It was further clarified that there is no ban on filling up of vacancies
in Government jobs and all concerned Departments are taking necessary
action to fill-up these vacancies. It was further assured that the
Government is committed to job security, wages security and social
security to the workers. The issue of equal wages for equal work for
contract workers is an issue requiring wider consultations and a
committee will be constituted, if required.
