20 December 2014

Government launches special drive to ensure industrial peace

NEW DELHI: Government has launched a special drive for registration of all unorganised sector units in a web portal that will ensure transparency and accountability in labour inspections and create conducive environment for industrial peace and harmony.

Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya told Lok Sabha that the 'Shram Suvidha Portal' provides for allotment of a unique labour identification number to the establishments of unorganised sector.

He said the web portal also envisages transparent and convenient labour inspection scheme with selection criteria, keeping in view the provisions of respective labour laws, filing of self-certified and simplified single on-line return and timely redressal of grievances through the portal.

He said during Question Hour that along with the unique number, smart card will be given to those units which register with the portal and plans are afoot to bring all sectors, including housing and Anganwadi workers, in its ambit.

"Social security for all employees is very necessary. Even contract workers will be brought under it," he said.

The Minister said the portal will enhance convenience of registration of establishments and filing of returns under different Labour Acts and the mandatory uploading of inspection reports within 72 hours would ensure check on the arbitrariness in inspections and will ensure more effective and purposeful labour inspections.

The Labour Minister said single on-line returns and on-line inspection reports will lead to better compliance and enforcement of labour laws thereby, benefiting the workers.

Dattatreya said the portal will have complete database at one place to facilitate systemic policy discourse and informed decision making.

"This will also create conducive environment for industrial harmony. The grievance redressal system would also bring transparency and accountability in enforcement of labour laws for the benefit of employees," he said.

Replying to another question, the Labour Minister said government has received a report of the inter-ministerial committee on ship breaking and notified ship breaking code 2013 in the official gazette.

"The ship breaking code 2013 comprises various elements on safety and health of workers engaged in ship breaking activities. The provisions contained under this code are required to be complied and implemented by ship recycling owners (factory occupiers) and concerned stake holders," he said.

Source: economic times. 15 December 2014

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