The UPA announced some schemes for the working class, but largely ignored the issues that really needed to be urgently addressed, says vikas kumar
When the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government assumed office, hardly anybody had expected drastic steps in the direction of the much contentious labour reforms. This was because the oxygen for the government’s survival was being supplied by Left parties. However, its performance on many accounts was even below the modest expectations.
The National Common Minimum Programme specifically mentions about the implementation of minimum wage laws, “ The UPA administration will ensure the fullest implementation of minimum wage laws for farm labour. Comprehensive protective legislation will be enacted for all agricultural workers.” Minister of Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes says to B&E, “Whatever we had promised in the CMP for the organised or unorganised sector, we have fulfilled it.”
Labour laws face severe challenges at the grassroots level. One major problem is that there is a paucity of clear statistics on the number of people working as domestic labour. The estimated number of domestic workers in India is 90 million, but this is probably an underestimate as there has been hardly any systematic study to document such workers throughout the country.
The other issue which haunts a majority of the labour class is lack of a credible social safety net. This forces them towards bonded labour-like situation under appalling conditions for less than decent wages, often from childhood to old age. It is deplorable that in most of the states, the minimum permissible daily wage is less than Rs.50; the level of minimum wages rises above Rs.100 only in four states.
When the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government assumed office, hardly anybody had expected drastic steps in the direction of the much contentious labour reforms. This was because the oxygen for the government’s survival was being supplied by Left parties. However, its performance on many accounts was even below the modest expectations.
The National Common Minimum Programme specifically mentions about the implementation of minimum wage laws, “ The UPA administration will ensure the fullest implementation of minimum wage laws for farm labour. Comprehensive protective legislation will be enacted for all agricultural workers.” Minister of Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes says to B&E, “Whatever we had promised in the CMP for the organised or unorganised sector, we have fulfilled it.”
Labour laws face severe challenges at the grassroots level. One major problem is that there is a paucity of clear statistics on the number of people working as domestic labour. The estimated number of domestic workers in India is 90 million, but this is probably an underestimate as there has been hardly any systematic study to document such workers throughout the country.
The other issue which haunts a majority of the labour class is lack of a credible social safety net. This forces them towards bonded labour-like situation under appalling conditions for less than decent wages, often from childhood to old age. It is deplorable that in most of the states, the minimum permissible daily wage is less than Rs.50; the level of minimum wages rises above Rs.100 only in four states.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
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