Excerpts:
Trade union fear that chunk of workers will be thrown out from basic labour laws with the implementation of Small Factories Bill. Will their concerns be addressed?
Tripartite talks are underway. We have formed a sub-committee. Three representatives, one from BMS, one from CITU, and the third from AITUC are there on the committee. We had discussions, and we are going for worker-friendly measures.
According to some of the new proposals, 10 per cent of the employees or 100 workers will be needed to form a trade union. (Now it takes seven members to form a union irrespective of the size of the establishment.) Trade unions, including the BMS, are up in arms. What do you have to say to this?
We want some responsibility (to be shared by all). 10 per cent of the total work force would be needed for registration. But I am making another provision. Suppose I have registered a trade union. Management doesn’t recognise. Demand is pending for 45 days. According to the new proposal, if the recognition is not granted in 60 days, it would be deem to be registered recognised.
Trade unions are demanding minimum wages of Rs 15,000 per month. What is the figure that you have in mind?
I have to ensure that the Supreme Court judgment in this respect is respected. I can assure you we will fix fair wages. The final figures are still being worked out.
Trade unions say that they won’t be able to strike work if the proposed Industrial Relations Bill is enacted. What do you have to say?
If anybody has to go on strike, he has to give a notice 14 days. If you have given some time there will be some conciliatory methods. When conciliatory method process is going on, nobody can go on strike. We will ensure accountability from both the sides. Strike without notice will attract a penalty.
What are the new reforms measures that you are undertaking?
We are stressing on e-governance. The unorganised sector is our main focus area now, which constitutes 93 pc of the workforce. The Modi government is launching smart cards for them, which will ensure major social security schemes umbrella coverage, like Rashtriya Swashtya Bima Yojna, old page pension, Pradhan Mantri jan suraksha yojna, PM Jeevan jyoti yojna, Atal pension etc.
All state governments are eager on this. I have written to all CMs. In the first week or second week of September, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the scheme.
Why are the labour unions, including your own BMS, bent on a nationwide strike on Sept 2?
Out of their 12 demands, the government is positive on six or seven. This government came into being last year only. I am hopeful that labour unions will continue to talk to us. For that only the PM has formed a committee of Ministers led by Arun Jaitley.
The labour unions had decided a charter of demands in 2014 when the UPA government was there. I have discussed with them in tripartite meetings.
Can the strike call be recalled?
I cannot say anything on that. We’re talking and solving their demands.
How have various states and parties responded to your labour reforms measures?
I have held regional labour conferences in various parts of the country.
States like Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, MP, are in the process (of labour reforms). Some states might have taken the lead, but the process is on.
But Congress states are not that eager. Karnataka labour minister told me that they are not exactly enthusiastic about the reforms measures. What do you have to say?
Congress-ruled states have come down. But when I went to another Congress-ruled state of Assam, I found them to be very positive and enthusiastic about reforms. They want to undertake new reforms too. States like Karnataka can have their own laws if they so desire.
So, like the land bill, will we have two sets of laws, one for the Congress-ruled states, and another for BJP-ruled states?
I don’t want to politicise development. We want the development agenda and we want to strengthen the federal structure. Whatever proposals we receive from states, if they are in consonance with the central laws, we will okay them.
But won’t the reforms process take a hit if only BJP-ruled states go for it, and non-BJP states oppose it?
Tamil Nadu wants to undertake labour reforms. IS it a BJP-ruled state? Andhra and Telangana may have their rivalries, but both the states came out with an industrial policy which provides more incentives to industry.
Such is the developmental climate in the country. Whether it’s UP, Bihar or West Bengal, they will have to fall in line and follow the tunes of the time.
