Builders' lobby seeks single format labour law

As most labour laws are outdated, the builders' lobby Builder Association of India (BAI) has made a representation before the Centre to bring the laws under a single format, thereby making is simpler.

Labour ministry has given a positive reply and agreed in-principle to reform the law. "Labour ministry is working on it and the result will come soon", said Sushant Kumar Basu, past president of BAI.

"Most of the labour laws are outdated and is difficult to follow for contractors in current context. We feel, that it is time to change, and hence, we have asked the labour ministry to make a single labour law which will also beneficial for labour too", said D L Desai, trustee of BAI. At present there are 30 different labour laws in force for contractors and most of them were formed before Independence. The association has been seeking changes in these laws since long.

"The multiplicity of laws now requires the contractors to undertake a lot of paperwork. Moreover, many laws are not relevant in the current context, and today's working environment," he added.