Joint meetings on labour codes fail to evolve consensus

labour code Representation Image

In a clear indication that the implementation of the four labour codes will be delayed further, a vast majority of the central trade unions, have urged the Centre to withdraw the four codes. This was the emerging consensus during their recent discussions with Union Labour Minister Bhupender Yadav.

Though the trade union Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, haas supported the Code on Social Security and the Code on Wages, it has also opposed the Industrial Relations Code and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code in the meeting with Mr. Yadav. All the Opposition’s trade unions, including the BMS, have also sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing the the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code.

Mr. Yadav ended his ‘separate’ discussions with all the Central Trade Unions (CTUs) by the end of September. He had also met various organisations representing employers. A source in the Ministry said the Minister will meet a few more associations of the employers in the coming days. Ironically, the collective demand for convening the tri-partite Indian Laboiur Conference, a regular established mechanism, has also not been met.

All representatives and leaders of 10 CTUs reviewed the developments at a meeting here last week and decided to maintain their stand.. All India Trade Union Congress general secretary Amarjeet Kaur told The Hindu that all the 10 CTUs opposed the labour codes in their meetings with the Minister. “We have demanded the Centre to stop separate discussions on the labour codes. They did not consult anyone at the time of drafting these codes or passing them in Parliament. Even the objections raised by the Parliament Standing Committee on Labour was ignored. Now, whatever discussions are to be held, it should be held together with all CTUs,” Ms. Kaur said.

The trade unions, including the BMS, have also demanded that the Centre immediately convene the Indian Labour Conference (ILC). “The ILC, as an effective tripartite mechanism, is not functioning under this government. We have been demanding that the ILC must be called immediately to discuss the issues of the workers,” she added.

‘No response from Minister’

Trade unions said Mr. Yadav did not reply to their objections to the codes. “We have given clause-by-clause objections to the four labour codes. The Minister said he will get back. But as of now, we have not received any replies on our objections. We reiterated our demand that the codes should not be implemented. We have opposed the way rules are being brought for these codes in a piecemeal manner,” said Hind Mazdoor Sabha general secretary Harbhajan Singh Sidhu.

The BMS had joined the Opposition camp in opposing the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code. The CTUs sent a resolution passed by them in a joint meeting facilitated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to prime minister, Narendra Modi. They said the code was against the ILO conventions in which India is also a signatory. “We also strongly urge the government of India to revisit, re-examine and completely revise the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 in line with the core OSH conventions, namely C155 and C187. The said code should be inclusive, universal in coverage, prevention-focused, progressive and human centric. The tripartite advisory system must be replaced by a statutory tripartite mechanism strictly adhering to C144, which is already ratified by India. The government of India must duly consult the social partners, using social dialogue mechanism on a top priority. Here it is pertinent to urge the government of India to strengthen the bipartite and tripartite dialogues, ensuring effective and proper participation of the trade unions,” the resolution, also signed by the BMS, said.

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