New Delhi, Nov 18 (IANS): The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and other trade unions on Saturday opposed the idea of the Central government to reimburse employers who grant maternity benefits to their female employees.

"The AITUC and all other trade unions are opposed to the idea of the government paying incentives to employers for implementing laws enacted by the government and using either the tax-payers' money or workers' welfare fund for such incentives," the AITUC said in a statement.

The statement said that the Ministry of Labour and Employment had called all the central trade unions on November 14 for consultation with the stakeholders on the proposed scheme.

Although the government has denied using any welfare cess fund, such a proposal was discussed in the 28th meeting of the Standing Committee, the Trade Union Congress said, adding that the government is not speaking the truth even about the sources of funds for this scheme meant to reward the lawbreakers.