(a) whether the Government propose to radically amend labour
laws in the country, paving the way for the introduction of an
exit policy;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government also propose to raise the minimum
age of 18 years; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT ( SHRI MUNI LALL )
(a) & (b): Review/updation of labour laws is a continuous
process and amendments/fresh legislations are made depending on
the results of the review. A number of labour laws have been
framed over a period of time to address a number of issues and
problems that assumed importance and attracted pointed attention
at a particular point of time. While many of these concerns are
of continuing nature, some of them have ceased to be of erstwhile
importance and may have been indeed become obsolete and
redundant. There is thus always a need to review comprehensively
the labour laws so as to ensure both consistency of labour laws
with the general changes taking place in the economic policy and
also to provide for greater welfare of the workers. The
Government have also set up the Second National Commission on
15.10.1999 which would comprehensively review the labour laws and
suggest appropriate changes in the labour legislation/policy.
The Commission would suggest rationalisation of existing labour
laws relating to labour in the organised sector and an umbrella
legislation for ensuring a minimum level of protection to the
workers in the unorganised sectors.
(c) & (d): A proposal to enact a Central Legislation fixing
minimum age of 14 years for admission to employment and work in
all occupations excluding agriculture in family and small
holdings producing for own consumption is under examination. The
proposal legislation will also fix a minimum age of not less than
18 years for admission to any type of employment and work which
by its nature or circumstances in which it is carried out is
likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young
persons.