Labour reforms must match global standards: Jyotsna Suri

Interview with President, FICCI

The Federation of Indian Chambers Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is consolidating its presence in tier-2 towns and expanding its outreach to the industrial clusters with MSMEs. Jyotsna Suri, the president of Ficci, spoke to Komal Amit Gera about its plans. Edited excerpts:

For the first time, Ficci has organised its executive committee meeting in Chandigarh. What does it indicate?
Yes, we stepped in here late but we have aggressive plans for participation in industrial climates of states up north. It’s an era of competitive federalism. No state wants to lag behind. As the government of India has increased the devolution of central sales taxes, states have more responsibilities.

Economic development rests on employment generation. The bigger towns have exhausted their resources (land and labour). So, we want to create partnerships with states to exploit resources available with them.

Chief Minister of Haryana M L Khattar and Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal have promised all co-operation to the industry by bringing flexibility in regulatory framework. Will these promises make any change on the ground?
The ground realities have always been different but now industry is on cutting edge because the government of India is completely focused on development. The impact is seen in the attitudes of bureaucrats and the chief ministers across India. The state heads understand that only investment can create jobs and are they trying to create a suitable environment to attract investments. This change is noticed in the entire landscape of India.

The Centre is in the process of reforming labour laws...
The existing labour laws in our country are archaic and detrimental to the growth of industry. Reforms are imperative to match the global manufacturing standards. The industry in India is facing a severe shortage of adequately skilled people. The labour reforms would help workers acquire new skill sets. Ficci through its five skill councils in collaboration with the Centre is working on promoting skill development. The new labour laws would boost industry and welfare of labour.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill has been passed in the Lok Sabha and it will come up in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. Do you think GST will make a difference?

No doubt GST has been delayed but it’s still relevant. It may take another year to come into effect. But it would turn around the GDP (gross domestic product) of the country. Ficci wants a faster implementation of GST.