Send Apprentices Bill to Standing Committee, says oppn in LS

Opposition today demanded in Lok Sabha that the Apprentices (Amendment) Bill be referred to the Standing Committee, alleging that it was part of "pro- industry" labour reforms which was being opposed by all trade unions, including RSS-backed BMS.

During discussion on the bill, which is aimed to attract more youth to join apprenticeship training, members said similar bills to amend the Industrial Disputes Act and the Labour Act brought in BJP-ruled Rajasthan had seen even the BMS come out on the streets in protest.

K Suresh (Cong) wondered as to why government was keen on passing the bill in haste when it involved the future of 300 million youth of the country.

He said the legislation needed a thorough re-look in the interest of the unemployed youth and should be sent to the Standing Committee for a review.

Even before the House took up the bill for consideration, Saugata Roy (TMC) pleaded for sending the measure to the Standing Committee.

Labour Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said government was ready to accept suggestions by members and wanted the bill to be discussed.

Congress leader and former Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said it was not proper to take up the bill in hurry.

Roy described the bill as "old wine in new bottle" saying the Modi government was "re-packaging" old laws brought by UPA government and inaugurating projects completed in UPA regime.

"Isliye ye mat kahiye ki achhe din aa gaye. Pehle bhi kuchh achha tha (that is why don't say good days have arrived, there were some good days earlier too)," he said.

Roy expressed apprehension that contract workers would be phased out as has happened in Maruti Udyog Limited after inducting the apprentices.

On the other hand, Dushyant Singh (BJP) made a strong plea for the passage of the measure so as to help impart skills to the youth. He said that a developed country like Germany had three million apprentices while India had only three lakhs.

The scheme would help the growth of the industry as 500 new trades were being added and trade bodies like FICCI and CII have all hailed the scheme, he said.