Lok Sabha Question No. 2413 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-08
Subject: Labour Reforms Bill
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Pushpendra Singh Chandel, Sukanta Majumdar, Khagen Murmu, Rajan Baburao  Vichare, Vinayak Bhaurao Raut, Girish Bhalchandra Bapat, Shrirang Appa Barne, Sushil Kumar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2413

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.07.2019

## LABOUR REFORMS BILL

## 2413. SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:

SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

SHRI VINAYAK RAUT:

SHRI GIRISH BHALCHANDRA BAPAT:

SHRI SRIRANGA APPA BARNE:

SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)whether the Central Government is considering to bring new bill for labour
- reforms and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether  the  Central  Government  has  bracketed  44  labour  laws  into  four major  codes-  wages,  industrial  safety  and  welfare,  social  security  and industrial relations and if so, whether the Central Government has proposed to  dismantle  and  merge  of  ESI,  EPF  with  other  central  schemes  and
- privatization of social security fund and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether 70 per cent of labour will be out of coverage in the garb of ease of doing  business  and  if  so,  the  response  of  the  Union  Government  in  this regard;
- (d)whether  the  Union  Government  has  consulted  the  Labour  Unions  on  the proposed labour reforms and if so, the details thereof along with the views of  the  major  Labour  Unions  in  this  regard  and  the  steps  taken  by  the Government to address the concerns of the Labour Union;
- (e)whether  the  new  labour  policy  is  likely  to  uphold  the  interests  of  the industry by ensuring better safety of organized/ unorganized labourers in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (f)whether various trade unions have opposed such amendment and if so, the reasons  therefor  and  the  remedial  action  taken  by  the  Government  to address such concerns; and
- (g)whether  the  new  labour  policy  is  likely  to  uphold  the  interests  of  the industry by ensuring better safety of organized/unorganized labourers in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) & (b): The Ministry has taken steps for drafting four Labour Codes on  Wages;  Industrial  Relations;  Social  Security;  and  Occupational  Safety, Health and Working Conditions respectively, by simplifying, amalgamating and rationalizing the relevant provisions of the existing Central Labour Laws.  The 4  Labour  Codes  contain  provisions  relating  to  wage,  social  security,  safety, health and grievance redressal mechanism for workers. These initiatives are expected to  provide  wage  security,  social  security,  occupational  safety  and decent working conditions to the workers. However, there is no proposal at present  to  dismantle  and  merge  of  Employees'  State  Insurance  Corporation (ESIC),  Employees  Provident  Fund  Organization  (EPFO)  with  other  central schemes and privatization of social security fund.

(c): No Sir.

(d) to (g): The process of Legislative reforms on Labour includes consultation  with  stakeholders  including  Central  Trade  Unions,  Employers' Associations  and  State  Governments  in  the  form  of  tripartite  consultation. Besides, the draft Labour Codes were also placed on website of the Ministry, seeking comments/suggestions from all stakeholders including general public. The  draft  legislations  are  finalised  after  considering  comments/suggestions received from various stakeholders. The  proposed  labour  reforms  initiatives will  reduce  the complexity  in  compliance  due  to  multiplicity  of  labour  laws  and  facilitate setting up of enterprises and thus creating the environment for development of business and industry in the country and generating employment opportunities without diluting basic aspects of safety, security and health of workers.

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