Lok Sabha Question No. 218 (STARRED), answered on 2019-07-08
Subject: Reforms of Labour Laws
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Raja Amareshwara Naik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. 218 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.07.2019

## REFORMS OF LABOUR LAWS

*218. SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  initiate  a  process  of  simplifying, rationalizing and amalgamating the 44 labour laws into 5 codes and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether the Government has sought views of the States on the proposed reforms of labour laws and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)the other steps being taken by the Government for reforms of labour laws in the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*                                                     ******

STATEMENT  RERERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.218 FOR 08.07.2019 BY SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK REGARDING REFORMS OF LABOUR LAWS

(a) & (b): It  is  pertinent  to  mention  that  we  need  to  make  our  existing Central Labour Acts in sync with the changing economic  scenario, technological  advancement  and  emerging  need  for  wage  security,  social security and better working conditions of our workers. Out of the existing Central Labour Acts, about 17 are more than 50 years old and a few of them are even 70 years old.  Accordingly, in line with the recommendations of the Second  National  Commission  on  Labour,  the  Ministry  has  taken  steps  for drafting four Labour Codes i.e. The Code on Wages; The Code on Industrial Relations, The Code on Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions & The Code on Social Security by simplifying, amalgamating and rationalizing the relevant provisions of the existing Central Labour Laws.   The  Codes have  been  drafted  after  exhaustive  consultation  with  representatives  of trade  unions,  employers'  associations  and  State  Governments.    Total  of  8 tripartite consultations have been held on Labour Codes. Besides, the drafts were also placed on the website of the Ministry to seek the comments of all stakeholders including general public.  The Central Labour Acts which have been  subsumed  in  the  proposed  Labour  Codes  will  be  repealed  on  their enactment.

- (c): The Ministry has also undertaken amendments in various Central Labour Acts like  the  Payment of Bonus Act 1965 enhancing the eligibility limit for payment of bonus from Rs 10000/- to Rs. 21000/- per month and the Calculation Ceiling from Rs. 3500/- to Rs. 7000/- or the minimum wages; the Payment of Wages Act, 1936  enabling payment of Wages to employees by Cash  or  Cheque  or  crediting  it to  their  bank  account;  the  Child  Labour (Prohibition  and  Regulation)  Act,  1986  prohibiting  employment  of  children below  14  years  in  any  occupation  or  process;  the  Maternity  Benefit  Act 1961,  increasing  the  paid  maternity  leave  from  12  weeks  to  26  weeks; Payment of Gratuity Act,1972 enhancing the gratuity limit of Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs. 20 lakhs.
- *******