NDA is pro-worker, but India needs labour reforms: Minister

The NDA Government today defended the labour reforms being proposed by it, saying laws need to be changed as per the requirements of the country, and asserted that it stood for welfare of workers and prevention of their exploitation.
Talking to reporters here, Union Minister of State for Labour Bandaru Dattatreya said the labour reforms being proposed by the Centre are aimed at helping the workers and not diluting the protection for them.
"The Labour Ministry feels that some changes in laws are needed as per the requirements of the country and in tune with the present times. Because, these laws have been there for long," he said.

The "simplification and rationalisation" of laws being proposed by the Labour Ministry would not take away the rights of workers, but ensure transparency and accountability by employers, he said.
Dattatreya said the NDA Government has initiated a process where existing 44 Central labour laws are to be "simplified and rationalised and amalgamated" into four labour codes on wages, industrial relations, social security and welfare and safety and working environments.
The Centre is also in the process of drafting Small Factory Bill to put in place a comprehensive law, incorporating the important provisions of the existing labour Acts into one to make compliance and enforcement effective, the Minister said.

Noting that a wrong campaign was going on that NDA Government has acted against the interests of workers, he asserted the BJP-led administration stood for the welfare of workers and to prevent their exploitation.

Dattatreya was here to address a regional conference of state Labour Ministers and officials from southern states.
Speaking at the conference, he said "We are going to bring four labour codes. Labour Code is very, very important. One will be for wages. There is complication in wages being paid. We would like to bring all wages under one code.
"Second is Industrial Relation Code. Third is social security code and fourth one is working conditions and safety. Safety and security of the workers will be strengthened under these codes."

The NDA Government is bringing initiatives like Universal Account Number (UAN), skill development, among others, for the benefit of workers, he said.
The regional conference is a platform for states to share their best labour practices.