Bangalore, Feb 12: The Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia`s suggestion, favouring flexible labour reforms without `hire and fire` system is not acceptable to the Left parties, CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan said today.
"Not at all", responded Bardhan when asked if the suggestion was acceptable to the Left parties. "It (hire and fire system) is not the only thing. CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) -- industrialists themselves -- have demanded flexible hours of work".
Pointing out that historically, people have fought for an eight-hour working day, he said the industry now wants to see that this limit is removed. Besides, the industry also wants to bring in contract labour wherein "security of job goes".
In addition, the industry is also pushing for changing Rule 5 (B) of the Industrial Dispute act that gives them power to close down units with up to 1,000 workers without government permission, he told PTI.
Ahluwalia on Friday said rigidities in labour laws were affecting the domestic job market and raising the costs of companies, especially in the manufacturing sector.
Bureau Report
