Since labour is a concurrent subject under the Constitution of India, states can frame their own laws but need the approval of the Centre for making amendments to central laws
The Punjab government had hiked the dearness allowance component of the minimum wage by over four per cent on May 1
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said basic principles could not be compromised by allowing unsafe workplaces
Suspending legal protections for workers that evolved over time, will come with social and political consequences
From the SARS-CoV-2 strain in India, to migrant workers in this lockdown, and whether ultraviolet light can help detect and kill coronavirus - read these and more in today's India dispatch
Workers can't be completely at the mercy of employers
Unlike other BJP-ruled states, it isn't doing away with most existing laws, but seeks to introduce fixed-term employment to facilitate direct hiring of contract labour by firms
State government says it will boost investment; experts term it an attack on fundamental rights
The proposed Ordinance showed that the existing labour law - the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947 - which spells out the mechanism for resolving industrial disputes will become invalid
The state government also offered land and infrastructure for companies and projects that were looking to shift base from China to other destinations
No permanent redress can be expected until even casual workers are able to unite and bargain collectively for their rights
Karnataka was wrong in treating migrants as bonded labourers
The government may also allow an increase in the working hours of workers in factories and allow overtime of up to 72 hours a week
New companies may 'keep labourers in service as per their convenience', says proposed amendment.
There is no sight of reform measures as well
Four states are allowing a 72-hour work-week due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a move that comes with serious implications for India's factory workforce.
The Standing Committee has suggested that the government allow bigger companies to retrench workers, without the need to seek official nod from the government
The government had in 2018 formed an inter-ministerial committee to formulate a policy document on jobs and the VV Giri National Labour Institute was supposed to submit a draft to the labour ministry
One of the key demands of the unions is to increase the minimum wages of workers
The IR Code Bill will consolidate three labour laws: the Trade Unions Act, 1926; the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946; and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947