New Delhi, Oct 6 (KNN) On Monday, Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State (IC) for Labour & Employment, Govt of India said that the new Labour Codes will promote harmonious industrial relations, higher productivity and more employment generation. As the Lok Sabha has passed the three labour codes on industrial relations; occupational safety, health and working conditions; and social security after a debate in the Lok Sabha. The labour welfare reforms covering more than 50 crores organized and unorganized workers in the country.

While addressing the webinar ‘86th Annual General Meeting of AIOE’, the minister said, “The labour codes will establish a transparent, answerable and simple mechanism along with one registration, one license and less return filing for all the codes. We have taken several steps through labour codes to help the work force and take care of their well-being”.

The minister further stated that the government has been constantly striving to bring in the much-needed labour reforms in the country which has not been done for the last 73 years. “In last six years many multi-stakeholder consultations were held with all stakeholders including the employers, trade unions and experts before finalizing these Codes,” he added.

Highlighting the benefits of the new Labour Codes, the minister said that these will cover over 50 crore workers from organized, unorganized sector for minimum wages and social security.

“Fixed term employment has been introduced and fixed term employee will get the same service conditions as regular employees. This will also benefit the industry as it will provide a flexibility,” he added.

The minister said, “Inspector will now be called inspector cum facilitator. To bring in transparency, effectiveness and accountability, we have also made provision for setting up a web-based inspection system. These new Codes will not only make the labour laws simpler but also bring in ease of doing business.”

Rohit Relan, President, AIOE while complementing the government on the new Labour Codes said that these will have a far-reaching impact for peaceful and harmonious labour relations in our country.

Dagmar Walter, Director ILO, DWT for South Asia and Country Office in India, said that the success of the new labour codes will primarily depend upon its implementation strategy, capacity of local and state institutions and participation of social partners.

The labour reforms in the post COVID-19 scenario need to ensure sustainable solutions, which are capacitated to protect the most vulnerable. We will need measures ensuring the development of a just and inclusive society,” she added.

AIOE whole heartedly welcomes the new labour reforms as it opens new horizons to bring India's large informal sector employees into formal workforce. We are sure the implementation of these codes will enable India to climb up further in the ranking of Ease of Doing Business, he added.