Trade Unions to meet on Sep 15 over labour reforms issues

Criticising the "anti-labour policies" of the Narendra Modi-led government, all major central trade unions including BJP-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) have convened a meeting here on September 15 to decide strategies on intensifying their agitation.
Unions associated with sectors such as banks, railways, insurance and ports etc also participating in the meeting, Union leaders said.
"If the policies pursued by the government are against the interest of the workers, we oppose it too and are ready to join the other unions," said vice president of BMS, K Lakshma Reddy.
Aggrieved over the recent amendments to some labour laws, the leaders threatened to even announce a general strike if the government turns a deaf ear to the plight of the workers.

"Despite the claims of being a government of the workers and for the tea vendors, the policies pursued by the government are anti-labour and are being carried out under pressure of employers," said general secretary of Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) H S Sidhu, pointing to the recent amendments in the Factories Act.
Prominent trade unions participating in the meeting are Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), HMS, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC) and other such organisations.
The unions had termed the Cabinet decision on July 30 to amend three crucial labour laws including the Factories Act as "unfortunate", saying they were not consulted during the entire process.

The Cabinet had approved proposals to amend three labour laws including the key Factories Act 1948, Apprentices Act 1961 and Labour Laws (exemption from furnishing returns and maintaining registers by certain establishments) Act,1988.