THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 03 June 2020 (Workforce habits: On tweaking of labour laws(The Hindu))

Workforce habits: On tweaking of labour laws(The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2:National
Prelims level: Labour Laws
Mains level: Reform in labour laws

Context:

• Over two months into the national lockdown, India’s workforce, apparently blessed to be part of its much-vaunted(praised) demographic dividend, is in complete disarray.

Lack of Support:

• There is the visibly disturbing narrative of a few million workers trying to get back home from their respective urban lives.
• They used their feet, often ............................................................................

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Not adequate manpower:

• Restrictions have eased slightly, but a return to normalcy has proved challenging even for the firms that are allowed to operate, largely due to inadequate manpower.
• Industry representatives have pleaded with the Labour Ministry to cajoleworkers to return to their workplaces on being summoned.
• And if that does not prove effective, make them liable for action under relevant industrial labour legislation.
• Relaxations have also been sought in statutory wage payments for April and May when little work happened.

Fixing the Labour Laws:

• Several States offered a temporary fix — stretching permissible working hours from eight to 12, so that productivity can improve even with less-than-optimal staff strength.
• Rajasthan withdrew such an order after criticism from the public.
• Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and some others have used the occasion to embarkon a purgeof labour laws, citing the need to spurinvestor confidence and revive job creation.
• Labour unions have protested this wholesale scrapping that would leave employees vulnerable in many aspects.
• Being a concurrent subject in the Constitution, States, however, need the Centre’s nod to effect these changes and, for now, Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar appears disinclined to agree.

Increase employee confidence:

• Official instructions to keep paying employees amidst the lockdown have not worked evenly.
• Tweakssuch as lowering .................................................................

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Conclusion:

• The Centre must begin a dialogue with States on this front.
• Ineffective paper laws such as the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act of 1979 can be reviewed thereafter.
• Instead of tweakinglabour laws, States must inspire confidence in workers.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the 7.75% savings (taxable) bonds, 2018, consider the following statements:
1. The 7.75% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2018, also known as RBI bonds or government bonds, were issued with effect from January 10, 2018 and were available for subscription to resident citizens/HUF to invest in a taxable bond.
2. The government has withdrawn these bonds with effect from 28th of May, 2020 and therefore it will not be available for investors to invest.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer................................

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Mains Questions:
Q.1)Instead of tweaking labour laws, States must inspire confidence in workers. In this context what are the key areas for reform in labour laws need at the moment. Comment.