Need a national code as basic labour law: Mallikarjun Kharge

Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday called for a national labour code as a basic labour law that would lay down a floor of substantive labour rights or standards such as minimum wages, maximum hours of work, minimum standards of safety and health at workplace.

Addressing the Parliamentary standing committee on labour, which is to prepare the agenda for the next annual Indian Labour Conference, he upheld the idea of a labour code as a means towards rationalisation of labour laws.

The National Commission on Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector had proposed such a code. This, Kharge said, could help prevent violations of basic labour laws and also cut the confusion caused by multiple laws.

Kharge also underlined the need for addressing the issue of recognition of trade unions and verification of the membership of the trade unions competing for recognistion within an organisation, often resulting in conflict.

The present system of verification like secret ballot and check-off needs to be closely examined to evolve an improved system, he added.