Consultations on for ratifying two key ILO conventions: Govt

"We are actively engaging in consultation process for ratification of ILO Conventions No 98 concerning Protection of the right to organise and collective bargaining and No 155 concerning occupational safety and health," Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said here.

The move comes after the government had recently approved amendment to the Child Labour Act to align it with ILO Convention No 138 concerning minimum age and No 182 concerning worst forms of labour. The amendment had put a complete ban on employment of children up to the age of 14 both in hazardous and non-hazardous work

Ratification of ILO convention 98 seeks to ensure that all categories of workers in India are entitled to the freedom of association and collective bargaining rights.

The minister was addressing the opening ceremony of a two-day function organised by the Building and Wood Workers International (BWI) Federation.

Spelling out the benefits to the workers engaged in construction sector under the Building and Other Construction Workers Act, Kharge said the states need to do much more to implement the Act in letter and spirit.

During the last five years, 34 states and union territories have notified rules under the Act and 33 have constituted welfare boards as mandated by the Act. (More)