Letters: A balanced labour law

This refers to the editorial "Rajasthan takes action" (June 11). Enacting an equitable labour law in this country is an arduous task. It needs to restrict undue exploitation of labour by the management, but at the same time it should not allow a belligerent workforce to hamper production. The law should encompass improved welfare schemes and severance packages that would attract more workforce to industries, thus releasing the pressure from the over-burdened agriculture sector. Political influence on trade unions leading to a spate of strikes in industrial units, have caused industries to take flight from states such as West Bengal. The legislation, therefore, needs to establish fast-track tribunals for the settlement of labour disputes, with a provision calling for an embargo on the declaration of lockouts or strikes when the matter is sub judice. Overall, the legislator needs to maintain a fine balance so that both the management and labour are benefitted.

V Sridhar Kolkata

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