Labour Conference: Proposal to amend Minimum Wages Act dropped

Finalising the agendas for the conference, a meeting of the standing labour committee today, however, decided to bring the issue of framing a law for micro and small enterprises.

Sources maintained that a six-member committee comprising representatives of both employer and employee at the meeting were unanimous that there has already been detailed talks on the issue of amending minimum wages to ensure inclusion of all industries and employment under the Act.

This agenda was shortlisted by the government for inclusion in the conference.

The other issues finalised for the event are measures to improve employment and employability, social security with special reference to assured pension and discussion on service conditions, wages and social security for various categories of workers employed in central and state government schemes.

Inaugurating the meeting earlier in the day, Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge pulled up the states for lack of progress made in implementation of labour laws and poor utilisation of funds meant for benefit of workers.

Despite repeated requests made to the states for proper execution of schemes, he said, funds collected in the form of cess are remaining unutilised by the states.

Noting that his Ministry has circulated progress reports of various states regarding implementation of the schemes, Kharge said, "I would request the concerning ministers and officials from the states to take stock of the progress for their better implementation".