The century old definition of industrial relations is defined as the relations
between employer and employee. I happened to watch NDTV Dialogues on “Make in
India:-Liberizing Labour Laws”. Although the learning from the session were
immense and lasting one.
PM-Narendra
Modi’s Make in India campaign is aimed to make India as a manufacturing hub.
Government is taking appropriate steps to smooth sailing of investors.
Keeping
in view the fact that for gaining the competitive advantage in business and
marking presence in global economy we need reforms. India rank at 134th
position in doing business ranking of World Bank out of 189 countries. And
labor laws are one among parameter in running business.
India
needs a major reform in Industrial laws governing labour force where worker
needs to be involved and engaged so that reforms can be accepted with high
degree of motivation. Labour laws shall allow management and workers to act as
team. Our laws are mean for earlier era i.e. philanthropic era. There was constant innovation in each and
every field these innovation have sustained our industry, we cannot see the
technologies which were in use earlier era when most of the acts were enacted. The
amendments in laws over a period of time are done to have right interpretations
of the meaning of the laws. These laws were from non-competitive era. Laws and
labour practices were far-far away from reforms.
Workers
need salary on time, wage/salary guarantee/job guarantee and social security. Almost
all disputes are arises around these parameters and workers motivation is
attached to same. Most productive workforce can be created by reforming labour
laws around this parameter. The distinguishing figures like employee and
employer has to be put in equitable framework. Centaury has changed but the
mindset of pronouncing labour and worker yet not changed. The distinguishing figures
are creating gaps and exclusive practices. We are leaving in the era where each
one of us has to contribute and reforms shall address these issues and provide
an environment of inclusiveness in an equitable framework.
However,
in my opinion India needs a labour reform in Skill Development. 85% percent of workforce
in India is unskilled. We are yet to get the benefits of demographic dividends.
Skilled workforce is in shortage which has leading into major disputes. Skilled
work force will leads to higher production and thereby promoting nation’s
development.
The
right time has arrived to work on for getting the advantage of demographic dividend
before it is turning into demographic disaster. Skill Development will leads to
Nation’s Development and ultimately these will address the issues of industrial
disputes. In real sense Skill Development would be the major reforms and act as
catalyst for Make in India.
Faith
Amol Nakve
