Collective wisdom to protect the interests of the labour and capital: Kharge

Collective wisdom to protect the interests of the labour and capital: Kharge

In his Presidential address, at the 43rd Session of the Standing Labour Committee, Mallikarjun Kharge, Union Labour Minister highlighted the importance of social dialogue amongst tripartite constituents in shaping and influencing the labour policy in the country during the past six decades. He reiterated firm commitment of the present Government to further strengthen the spirit of social dialogue through collective wisdom to protect the interests of the labour and capital. He also highlighted the importance of creating quality employment and equipping the labour force with sufficient/appropriate skills to suit the changing requirements of the industry. The government has initiated a number of steps to improve the skill endowment of the labour force. These include: the upgradation of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into Centers of Excellence (CoEs) and the Skill Development Initiative (SDI) under which one million persons will be trained or their existing skills tested and certified under the Modular Employable Skills (MES). Kharge also pointed out that, at this juncture, the guiding principle of government is to ensure that, while sustaining higher rates of economic growth, the improved performance of economy must contribute to employment generation, poverty reduction and human development. He said that the government is committed to provide appropriate social security measures for the deprived and marginalised segments of the workforce and society.

The government has recently enacted “The Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008”, which, inter-alia, provides formulation of welfare schemes aiming to provide social security benefits to workers in the unorganised sector. The “National Policy on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work” was also launched on the occasion. The Policy will help to generate awareness about HIV/AIDS, encourage action to prevent its spread and further improve and develop support and care initiatives at workplace. Earlier, in his address, Harish Rawat, MOS (L&E) said that the waves of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation have substantially altered the structures of business processes and nature of employment and economic process over the years. These changes, he noted, have far reaching implications for social economic and human development of the country. He said that the process of social dialogue is pivotal in addressing effectively the challenges of change. He reiterated that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is always committed to promoting social dialogue to protect and safeguard the interest of workers.

The meeting was attended by delegates from 12 Central Trade Union Organisations, 8 Central Organisations of Employers, 11 State Labour Ministers and senior officials from State Governments/UT Administrations and Central Ministries/Departments.
Courtesy: Ministry of labour and employment release