Labour Minister asks Maran to move on jute panel report

Union labour minister Mallikarjun Kharge wants textiles minister Dayanidhi Maran to quickly implement key recommendations of the tripartite committee on jute to enable a smooth run in the troubled industry.

In a letter to Maran, Kharge reminded him that, “Most of the action points (of the committee’s report) relate to your ministry, especially those relating to the decision of the Central Government on the Tariff Commission report 2009, costing structure in jute industry, development of training modules, etc. I am hopeful that an early action on these recommendations will help resolution of the dispute.”

Kharge told Maran that on his part, he would advise “the EPFO (Employees’ Providend Fund Organization) and ESIC (Employees' State Insurance Corporation) to suitably strengthen the enforcement machinery for strict implementation of the provisions of different applicable acts in jute mills.”

“Further, the office of the Director General of Employment and Training will also be advised to look into the possible collaborations with the Ministry of Textiles and other stakeholders in the area of training and skill development,” Kharge’s letter added.

While Maran is a nominee from M Karunanidhi’s DMK, the second largest ally of the Congress in the second United Progressive Alliance government, Kharge is a former president of the Karnataka unit of the Congress.

The tripartite committee comprised of experts, state and central government representatives and those of workers and employers. It was set up as part of the memorandum of settlement after a jute workers strike in 2008.

Various trade unions of jute mills in West Bengal had gone on strike since December 14 last year; it ended last Saturday.

The UPA government managers are hopeful that once these recommendations are implemented, friction between employers and workers will lessen.