GoM on Labour to meet central trade union leaders on May 14

A Group of Ministers, constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss labour-related issues with trade unions, will meet here on May 14.
The GoM, headed by Defence Minister A K Antony, will deliberate on issues such as violations of labour laws and equal rights for contract workers besides removal of ceiling on bonus and provident fund and universal social security cover.
The group comprises Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge.
"The first meeting is scheduled for May 14, the outcome of which would be crucial for our future course of action," said one of the central trade union leaders.

Eleven central trade unions had in February this year called a two-day nation-wide strike to press their 10-point charter of demands which included checking of price rise, generation of employment, halting of disinvestment in public sector enterprises and implementation of labour laws.
"If there is no progress during the discussion with the GoM, we will have to decide on our next course of action which could also include going on a strike," the union leader said.
He said most of the central trade unions have been called for the May 14 meeting. They also included Congress-affiliated Indian National Trade Union Congress.

The talks would come ahead of the Indian Labour Conference meeting here on May 18, where the trade unions are expected to raise the labour-related issues and the way ahead.