Set up group to address workers' problems

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked the Labour Ministry to form a group to examine how to address the problems being faced by workers due to global economic slowdown.

The direction to the Labour Ministry was given after the Prime Minister met a workers delegation led by G Sanjeeva Reddy of Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC).

"The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Labour and Employment to constitute a group, including representatives of the Ministries of Finance and Industry, to examine the issues and give recommendation on how to address them", a PMO release said.

The INTUC leaders impressed upon Singh to ensure that workers get their fair share and are protected against problems arising due to the slowdown in growth.

"The Prime Minister assured the delegation that the government gives the highest priority to inclusive growth and is committed to ensure that workers in the organised as well as the unorganised sectors are partners in the progress of the country," the release said.

The meeting was also attended by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge.

While the Indian economy is on path to recovery, the global economy is showing only tentative signs of revival. In the first half of the current fiscal, the Indian economy expanded by seven per cent.

The economy started getting the impact of global slowdown since October 2008 affecting several lakhs jobs especially those on contract in sectors like textiles, leather and handicrafts.