Unions ask for talks with ministerial panel on labour

Days before a meeting with the Labour Minister, central trade unions have sought the presence of entire group of ministers on labour issues, headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, to discuss their 12-point charter of demand.
Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya has invited the unions to discuss the demands on July 18. In response, as many as 11 unions have confirmed that they would attend the meeting.
"The Central Trade Unions (CTUs) will participate in the meeting but they felt that it would have been beneficial and useful if the Group of Ministers appointed for holding discussions with CTUs on 12 points charter of demands also participated in the meeting...As some to the demands concern with policy issues related to other departments," they said.

The ministerial panel had discussed their 12-points charter of demands on August 27-28 last year. After that the panel did not meet the unions to discuss their memorandum.
As many as 10 trade unions excluding RSS affiliate Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh had gone on day long nation wide strike on September 2, 2015.
Earlier this year, CTUs decided to go on strike on September 2, 2016 to protest against government's "unilateral" labour law amendments in the name ease of doing business.
The CTUs in its letter to the Labour Minister has said: "While reiterating our resolve to find amicable solution to issues through discussion, we would request you to kindly consider the presence of Group of Ministers appointed for holding the discussions with CTUs.