Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 10: Senior IAS officer and secretary in the ministry of labour and employment, Apurva Chandra said that the government is considering the objections raised by the trade unions to 12-hour daily work shift. "See, there will be a maximum of 48 hours of work in a week. If someone works for 8 hours a day, then there will be 6 working days per week. If a company opts for 12-hour working per day for its employees, it means four-day working and three holidays," Chandra said.
"If daily working hours are increased, you will have to give the workers similar holidays also. There will be 5 or 4 working days if duty hours are increased. It will now be mutually agreed to by the employees and employers as to what is appropriate for them. No one will be able to work for 12 hours a day," he further said.
Chandra said that the ministry is formulating relevant rules and regulations to implement the four new Labour Codes in line keeping in mind the interest of labourers and employees. "Rules and regulations are now being framed on provisions related to working hours. There is no final word as yet. Once the rules are formulated, things will become more clear. The Ministry wishes to assure that establishments will not be able to exploit their employees at any cost," he said.
"For the first time, all types of workers in the country will now get minimum wages. New schemes are being brought in for migrant labourers. Provident fund facility will be given to ensure social security to all kinds of labourers. All workers -- in organised and unorganised sectors -- will be covered by ESI. Women will be allowed to work in all kinds of trade, and allowed to do night shifts."
Chandra said that the implementation of the codes will ensure social security to all employees. "The process of making rules under the four Labour Codes is going on. The rules will be ready in the next few weeks."
"Both central and state governments have the right to make their own rules on this subject. The state governments are independent to make rules and regulations according to their own conditions. However, in case of any confrontation, the rules of the Centre hold precedence," Chandra said stating the federal autonomy in formulating and implementing the rules on the subject.
He further said that a web portal will be set up to register unorganized sector workers by May or June. "It will enable the collection of proper data on registration of workers in the unorganised sector, including migrants, to facilitate the formulation of policies on remunerative wages. The labourers registered on the portal will be provided free annual insurance for accidents and disabilities under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana," Chandra added.