AITUC condemns suspension, dilution of labour laws by some states

The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) on Friday strongly condemned the suspension and dilution of key labour laws by some states, saying the "draconian measures" are aimed at depriving workers of their rights.

The union has sought immediate withdrawal of "draconian" decisions by the states.

Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have decided to stay labour laws for three years and also announced a series of changes to give a boost to investments hit by COVID-19.

Joining the league, Gujarat too eased some labour laws and also increased working hours from 8 to 12 hours.

"AITUC strongly condemns the move of some state governments to take away labour rights of workers and demands that black laws should be withdrawn," an AITUC statement said.

The union further said that it strongly opposes the decision of the Uttar Pradesh government to bring in a "draconian ordinance titled 'Uttar Pradesh Temporary Exemption for Certain Labour Laws Ordinance 2020' under the guise of need for facilitating economic activities".

It said that in one stroke 38 laws aremade defunct for 1,000 days (almost three years).

"The remaining are only section 5 of Payment of Wages Act, 1934, Construction Workers Act, 1996, Compensation Act, 1993 and Bonded Labour Act, 1976 which remain functional."