The Union Minister of State for Labour and
employment (Independent Charge) Shri Bandaru Dattatreya today chaired a
tripartite meeting with state governments, central trade unions and employer
organizations in New Delhi.
The Minister made an earnest appeal for
pro-active involvement of all stakeholders in the labour matters. He said that
the Ministry of Labour follows proud legacy of social dialogue. He informed
that the Ministry is undertaking a special drive to cover contract and
construction workers under formal social security cover. He said that another
nationwide campaign is being initiated for the settlement of inoperative
provident fund accounts. He appealed to the Worker’s and Employer’s
Organisations to be a partner in this drive with renewed vigor. The Ministr is
aiming at making this drive an effective tool to cover more and more people in
the ambit of Social Security System and the success of this initiative will
only be ensured with cooperation from all.
The Trade Unions raised the issue of the 10
point charter of demands given by them and invited the government for more
consultations on labour issues.
Employers unanimously agreed that the vision
of industrial development can be achieved only when workers’ interest coincides
and taken into account in a holistic manner.
The Secretary, Ministry of Labour and
Employment, Smt Gauri Kumar said that the Minister (MOLE) has all sincere
intent of getting stakeholders on board. Mentioning the meeting held with state
secretaries today she talked about initiatives to bring about more transparency
and accountability as well as making the labour administration more effective.
She also invited the employers and workers join MOLE in this movement. She
informed that the Ministry is working on a National Identity Card for
unorganized workers with portability features and including Jan-Dhan initiative
and the ministry would urge all stakeholders to come on board to make it a
success.
Shri Bandaru Dattatreya said that he was happy
to see the increased positive response from Trade Unions. The key focus for the
Ministry is employment generation for the youth. Increasing competitiveness and
skill training is our challenge to fulfill the aspiration of the new
generation. He mentioned the initiative by the Government to bring a National
Vocational Training Institute. He emphasized the need for consultations so that
points and concerns may be taken up to move forward. Government is neutral and
is committed to transparency and accountability.
Minister reiterated the commitment of the
government to take forward the consultative mechanism and thanked the social
partners for the constructivedeliberations. He said that interest of labour is
paramount for the Government. He invited the social partners to join this movement
of nation building.
From Employers Group following organizations
attended the meeting: Council of Indian Employers, All India Manufacturers’
Organization, Laghu Udhyog Bharati, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce
& Industry, Confederation of Indian Industry, The Associated Chambers of
Commerce & Industry of India, FASII.
From Workers Group following organizations
attended the meeting: Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Indian National Trade Union
Congress, All India Trade Union Congress, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, Centre of Indian
Trade Unions, All India United Trade Union Centre, Trade Union Co-ordination
Centre (TUCC), Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), All India Central
Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), United
Trades Union Congress (UTUC) and National Front of Indian Trade Unions –Dhanbad
(NFITU-DHN).
