Bandaru Dattatreya
NEW DELHI (INDIA): Bandaru Dattatreya , the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Labour & Employment says that “the State Governments are important partners in the implementation of the labour welfare measures.”
He was speaking at the Regional Labour Ministers Conference for North Central region at Lucknow on today. Ministry of Labour and Employment is mandated to safeguard the interest of working class while promoting a conducive working environment for inclusive growth and industrial harmony.
The NDA government believes in cooperative federalism. States play a pivotal role in the area of extending social security, ensuring fair wages, skilling our work force and promoting Industrial Safety and Health.
The Agenda of the Regional Labour Ministers Meeting is very timely and relevant in the Contemporary economic scenario.
Stating that in Young India, where more than 65% are youth , creation of Jobs and Skill Upgradation become the prime goals. Make in India, Skill India, Digital India, Smart Cities Project are initiatives by the Government which aims to create millions of jobs. Public employment service are being transformed and strengthened through Information Technology.
The Government is committed to inclusive growth. Unorganized workers and vulnerable workforce are the priorities. The government is working on the “Universal Social Security Coverage to all”.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana(PMJDY), Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Yojana are some of the unique initiatives especially aimed to cover vulnerable workers. Unorganized Workers Card would be a platform to link all social security schemes for unorganized workers.
Here is the Minister’s speech
“My Fellow Colleagues from State Labour Ministries, North-Central region Shri. Shankar Aggarwal, Union Labour Secretary, Govt. of India, Senior Officers of MOLE, Govt. of India and Officers from State Labour Department, Friends from the Media, Ladies & Gentlemen.”
It gives me immense pleasure to address this gathering of the Regional Labour Minister Meeting. The Constitution of India provides a federal system of Government by virtue of which India has a unique proposition of center state relation. Labour is in the concurrent list and both Centre and States are the appropriate governments to address the labour related issues. States play a key role in perusing the goals of economic development.
Each State is endowed with some inherent natural advantage in terms of resources, geographical location, man power, cultural and ethnic diversity which must be internalized and factored in while formulating the agenda of state development. I take this opportunity to recall the event of Shramev Jayate held in October, 2014 in which our Hon’ble Prime Minister of India quoted Labour plays a crucial role in nation building. It is the responsibility of both Centre and States to carry forward the message and proactively engaged in promoting the agenda of labour welfare.”
2. The agenda of the Regional Labour ministers Meeting is very timely and relevant in the contemporary economic scenario. We have many challenges whether in the area of promoting employment or extending social security, we need to work out our collective strategy together. Our Government is concerned with the cause of labour in the developmental process. The mandate of Ministry of Labour and Employment is to promote a conducive working environment for inclusive growth and industrial harmony while safeguarding the interest of working class. The central Govt is in the process of Universalizing Minimum Wages which will serve as a guideline for the states to adopt it.”
3. Reforms are essential component of Growth and Development process and have to be in coherence with the changing demand of time and circumstances. A simplified labour regime not only lowers down the costs of compliance but also in medium and long term incentivizes higher cycle of productivity and employment creation.
In a recent initiative by Govt of India the existing 44 central labour laws have been simplified and rationalized into Four Labour Codes on Wages, Industrial Relation,, Social Security& welfare and Safety and Working Environments. We are also in the process of drafting Small Factory Bill to have a comprehensive law consolidating all the essentials provisions of the existing Labour Acts into one so as to make compliance and enforcement effective. We would like the state governments to share the similar line of action at their end to promote a simplified and rationalized labour regime aimed at higher productivity and economic growth ultimately.”
4. India is a global Hub for knowledge industry and we are at the fore front of using IT/ITES expertise. We must utilize the same in our initiative to good governance which is an important precursor for economic development. Ministry of Labour & Employment has launched a major good governance initiative with the effective use of technology called “Shram Suvidha Portal” for labour law compliance, which was inaugurated on 16th October, 2014 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. This Portal is bringing transparency and accountability in enforcement of labour laws and reduces complexity of compliance. It has enabled in creating a conducive environment for promoting entrepreneurship and governments’ ‘Make in India’ initiative. I would like the state governments to share their ideas and action to promote a hassle free environment for industrial growth.”
5. Given a vast majority of Youth Population, creation of Job and skill up gradation become the prime policy goals for our government. Our Hon’ble Prime minister has taken a number of flagship initiatives like Make in India, Skill India, Digital India, Smart Cities Project to visualize India as a top leader internationally.”
6. Govt. of India is committed to protect and safeguard the interests of workers and upholding the dignity of labour. In a landmark decision, the Cabinet has approved the amendments in the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. The bill provides for complete prohibition of employment of children below 14 years. Financial inclusion and social security cover for everyone is the top priority for the government especially for the vulnerable class of workers. Ministry of Labour and Employment has started portability for Employees Provident Fund (EPF) through Universal Account Number (UAN). The focus of our recent budget of our Govt “Universal Social Security Coverage to all” is a testimony to our commitment to Social protection for all.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is the biggest financial inclusion initiative in the world. Under this, 140 million accounts have been opened and the beneficiaries will get an accidental insurance as well as life insurance coverage.Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Yojana are some of the unique and innovative schemes introduced by our Govt to ensure pension facilities, life insurance and accidental insurance respectively for the poor and vulnerable sections.”
7. I would like to conclude with the remarks of Mahatma Gandhi who once said India lives in its villages and here comes the role of State. Unless we endeavor for strengthening our States, economic growth cannot be inclusive and it will be distant dream for millions of people. It is our constant and persistent efforts to fulfill the dreams and aspiration of people living in the remotest corner of India and ensure that they are not deprived of the fruits of economic development. Together Centre and States have a mutual role to coordinate and cooperate in keeping high the flag of labour dignity and welfare in the World of Work.”