Rahul Gandhi, the former President of the Indian National Congress (INC,) on the 11th of May, criticised state governments for amending labour laws to restart economic activity.
Recently, many states including Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh issued an ordinance announcing major amendments in the labour laws to attract investors to enhance the economy.
The Uttar Pradesh Government on the 8th of May finalised an ordinance suspending a majority of the labour laws in the state, which includes hike in wages, working hours and safe work environment. The state cabinet had cleared the Uttar Pradesh Temporary Exemption from Labour Laws Ordinance, thereby suspending more than 30 labour laws in the state.
Similarly, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had announced wide ranging changes in the labour laws to stimulate economic activity in the state. He announced the changes on Facebook.
Other states also issued ordinances respectively with different sets of amendments for the labourers as well as companies working with them to attract investors.
Due to the Novel Coronavirus infection, Indian economy and state economy fell to a point of recession. While labourers are the major asset of India, helping to grow the economic situation, these governments announced some easing and some restrictions for labourers.
Since labour is a major issue during the pandemic, affecting the economy, state governments could frame their own amendments and laws related to the labourers. However, they would need approval from the Central Government to enforce the amended changes.
Reacting upon the same, Rahul Gandhi deemed the amendments as an exploitation of these labourers. He said, “Many states have amended the labour laws, we are fighting together against (Coronavirus,) but this suppressing fundamental rights, insecure work places and could not be an excuse to exploit and suppress the voice of the labourers. There cannot be compromise on the basic principles.”
अनेक राज्यों द्वारा श्रमकानूनों में संशोधन किया जा रहा है। हम कोरोना के खिलाफ मिलकर संघर्ष कर रहे हैं, लेकिन यह मानवाधिकारों को रौंदने, असुरक्षित कार्यस्थलों की अनुमति, श्रमिकों के शोषण और उनकी आवाज दबाने का बहाना नहीं हो सकता। इन मूलभूत सिद्धांतों पर कोई समझौता नहीं हो सकता।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 11, 2020
The Indian National Congress (INC) is after the Central Government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the migrant labourers issues during the lockdown and pandemic crises.
Recently, the INC criticised the Union Government over the ticket fare of the Shramik Express, a special train running for migrant workers in India.
