(a) whether the Government is considering for labour ire forms particularly with regard
to employment intensive sector, ensuring of minimum wages aind reforms towards large/
small industries as well;
(b) if so, the complete details in this regard;
(c) whether units employing upto fifty workers are proposed to be kept outside the scopes
of the said legislation; and
(d) if so, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AIND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI KODIKUNNUL SURESH)
(a) & (b): Amendment/review of labour laws is a continuous process in order to bring thorn
in tune with the emerging needs of the economy including to accelerate industrial growth in
the country. While undertaking such changes overall interests of labour like wages, employment,
social security, working environment, health and safety etc. in the intensive sector are
protected.
The recent amendments earned out in labour laws are those under the Payment of Wages Act, 1936,
the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, ibhe Apprentices Act, 1961, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972,
the Employees` State Insurance Act, 1948, the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the Plantations
Labour Act, 1951, the Maternity Benefit Act., 1961 arid the Workmen`s Compensation Act, 1923
([now known as Employees Compensation Act, 1923).
Further, fche Government has introduced Bills in Parliament for amending the Labour Laws
(Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining of Registers by Certain Establishments)
Act, 11988, the Mines Act, 1952, the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment
and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 and the Child Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act,
1986, the Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act, 1959 and the
Building and Other Construction Workers9 (Regulation of Employment and Comditions of Service)
Act, 1996.
ln addition, the Government has approved the proposal for introducing a Bill in Parliament
for the amendment of the Mliniimum Wages Act, 1948 which includes inter-allia making National
Floor Level Minimum Wages (NFLMW) Statutory in both Organised and Unorganised Sector across
the country irrespective of the number of employees employed.
(c): No, Madam.
(d): Does not arise.