Pandemic 3

MAY 24

Reforms do not mean complete abolition of labour laws, says NITI Aaayog VC Rajiv Kumar 

I have just noticed that the Union Ministry of Labour is firming up its stance to tell the states that they cannot abolish labour laws because India is a signatory to the International Labour Organization (ILO)," Kumar told PTI in an interview. 


"Therefore, it is clear that the Union government does not believe that the reform of labour laws implies complete lack of labour laws... The government is committed to protecting the interest of workers," he said. 

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/reforms-do-not-mean-complete-abolition-of-labour-laws-says-rajiv-kumar/articleshow/75941042.cms

MAY 23

Unions stage protests, urge PM for relief to migrants

Ten central trade unions staged protests across the country and wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, seeking immediate cash assistance for migrant workers affected by the lockdown and a halt to the dilution of labour laws in several States. In their petition, the unions said stranded workers should be sent home safely, the public distribution system should be made universal, workers should be paid wages for the lockdown period and a cash transfer of ₹7,500 should be done for three months to all non-income tax- paying households.
https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/unions-stage-protests-urge-pm-for-relief-to-migrants/article31655257.ece


KARNATAKA 10 Hours

The State government on Friday notified a 10-hour work shift per day, up from eight hours, for a period of three months. Similarly, the number of weekly working hours was raised to 60 from 48. This came amid opposition from workers’ unions to any increase in working hours.

The three-month window started on Friday and will end on August 21. The notification issued by the Labour Department was made under Section 5 of the Factories Act that equips the government to make changes in “emergency” situations for a maximum of three months.

https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/state-notifies-10-hour-work-shift-for-three-months/article31655364.ece

MAY 20 

EPF Reduction

As a result of reduction in statutory rate of contributions from 12% to 10%, the employee shall have a higher take home pay due to reduction in deduction from his pay on account of EPF contributions and employer shall also have his liability reduced by 2% of wages of his employees

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-lockdown-epf-rate-cut-to-benefit-employees-employers/article31625499.ece

MAY 19

The Union Home Ministry has dropped a crucial order that required all employers — shops, industry and commercial establishments — to pay wages to workers for the period the units were shut during lockdown. The order that has now been dropped also called for action against landlords who forced students and migrant workers to vacate the premises during the lockdown.

Several companies had moved the Supreme Court against the order last week and the apex court asked the government to not take any coercive against them.

“Save as otherwise provided in the guidelines annexed to this order, all order issued by the NEC under Section 10(2)(I) of the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005, shall cease to have effect from 18.05.2020,” the May 17 order said.


https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/centre-drops-order-on-wages-during-lockdown/article31619083.ece