AMN /
Labour and Employment Minister Bandaru Dattatreya today appealed the trade unions to reconsider their call to strike in the interest of workers and the nation. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi today, Mr Dattatreya said, most of the demands which have been raised by the trade union are agreeable by the government while demands on FDI in railway, disinvestment of PSUs and contract workers are still under consideration.
The minister said Government is seriously considering amendments in Minimum Wages Act, to give minimum wages to all workers in the country. He said after the amendment, it would be mandatory for the state governments to fix their minimum wage not below the National Minimum Wage prescribed by the central government.
Speaking on the issue of Labour Law, the minister said centre has asked the state governments to strictly implement the labour law and advisory has been issued in this regard. He said for the purpose of bonus, the wage eligibility limit and calculation ceiling would be appropriately revised. Mr. Bandaru Dattatreya said the government’s paramount responsibility is to safegard the interest of workers and employment generation. When asked about the impact of the strike on the economy, Mr. Dattatreya said that the center is in touch with state governments and there will be not much impact on economy.
On the likely impact of the strike, Labour Minister said, that he BMS and National Front of Indian Trade Unions are not in strike. Besides there are 2-4 organisations which are neutral.
Ten central trade unions had given strike call for tomorrow (September 02) after two round of talk with the governemnt has failed last month over a 12-points charter of demands, including withdrawal of the proposed anti-worker amendments in labour laws and stopping the disinvestment and privatisation of PSUs.