Too much of a political risk? Govt may hold plan to ease hire-and-fire

Protests by labour unions, political risk likely reasons

The Union government is likely to put its proposal to ease retrenchment norms, by allowing factories with a large workforce to hire and fire without seeking its permission, on the back burner.

Several protests staged by central labour unions, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), and the widespread criticism from Opposition parties because of job losses on account of demonetisation and the goods and services tax (GST) might have put the contentious labour reform proposals in the slow lane, government officials said.

“We are likely to maintain the status quo on the controversial labour law proposals, as