Hry govt altered 18 labour laws in 4 yrs to help workers & industry: Minister

The present BJP government in Haryana has amended 18 labour laws in last four years to facilitate workers and employers and resolve irritants dogging the industry, State Minister for Labour and Employment Nayab Singh Saini said today.

"18 labour laws have been amended during the tenure of the present government..," Saini said.

He said relaxing 'Regulation 30' of the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958, has allowed women employees to work in night shifts.

This amendment allows women employees now to work from 7 pm to 6 am provided the employer ensures their safety and safe transportation.

It has benefitted 439 commercial establishments and 92,718 women employees of the state, he said.

The minister also talked of another amendment in the Industrial Disputes Act (IDA) which earlier required firms with 100 or more workers to seek the government's permission to retrench or lay off workers.

As per the amendment to the IDA, the firms having 300 or more employees only need the government's permission to retrench or lay off workers.

The minister said this amendment has enabled firms to employ more workers.

Similarly, the Contract Labour Act, 1970, earlier required contractors to secure license and registration for employing 20 or more workers.

This limit has now been increased to 50 workers, he said.

The government has also made several amendments in the Punjab Factories Rules to ensure safety, security and welfare of workers and prevent their exploitation by industrial establishments, he said.

With an objective to simplify business, a transparent supervision system, including the provisions for self-certification scheme for workers, employers and establishments too has been introduced, the minister added.