Govt amending labour laws without consulting us: trade unions

Jaipur: Alleging that the workers and labourers` interests were not being safeguarded in Rajasthan, several trade unions today said BJP government in the state was trying to amend labour and industrial laws without consulting them. "The labour laws are not being implemented properly causing a loss of wages, working hardships, and security issues. On other hand, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje decided in her cabinet meeting to amend labour and industrial laws without even consulting us," Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh (BMS) General Secretary Rajbihari Sharma said. Among the trade unions protesting the government`s move are India National Trade Union Congress, All India Trade Union Congress, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, Rajasthan CITU, BMS. "We will submit a memorandum to the Principal Secretary of Labor Department Giriraj Singh this evening," Sharma said, adding that the trade unions would launch an agitation if their demands were not met. In the memorandum, they alleged that Vasundhara Raje government announced in its cabinet meeting to amend Industrial Dispute Act (IDA), 1947, by raising the minimum limit of employed workers from 100 to 300. In another proposed amendment, any employee can move court against its termination from the service within 3 years from the date of termination, it said. Trade unions also strongly opposed the Raje government`s plan for setting up of a Bus Stand Authority to merge with the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation, and further privatisation of power and water in the state, Sharma said.