Non-enforcement of labour laws leads to violence: Kharge

"Enforcement of labour laws has to be followed strictly. Failure in this area has led to the recent flaring up of incidents like Maruti Suzuki in Haryana, Regency Ceramics, Yanam, Puducherry and Neyveli Liginite Limited in Tamil Nadu," Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said.

Noting that respect for industrial democracy and aiming towards high industrial growth should go hand in hand, he said the need of the hour is to ensure a healthy social dialogue so that all creative energy is channelised for the progress of the country.

"Employers should not turn a blind eye towards the labour statutes and at the same time the workers should refrain from taking law in their own hands. Employers and workers should conduct themselves in such a way that they earn the respect of the whole world," he said, addressing state labour ministers conference here.

In this regard, Kharge said he has been regularly communicating with the state governments to stress upon the need for effective implementation of labour laws.

He said legislation related to minimum wages, contract labour, industrial disputes and working conditions in the factories affect the life of the working class in a very significant way touching the lives of the deprived and marginal sections of the society. (MORE)