INTUC National Conference Kochi

The 29th plenary session of the Indian National Trade Union Congress(INTUC) pro-Congress trade union, which concluded at Kochi, recently, mooted a new labour policy "that will take care of the interests of workers in tune with the changing economic situation." INTUC president G.Sanjeeva Reddy said that the union's proposals included national minimum wages and amendments to the Provident Fund(PF) and Gratuity Acts.

The session's slogan "More productivity, more benefits" generated a heated debate at the discussions. In the context of low productivity in some sectors, INTUC State president R.Chandrasekharan said the slogan focused on the workers' role in increasing productivity and benefits rather than on more wages.

One of the major topics that came up for debate was the national minimum wages issue and the necessary legislation that would empower the Centre to decide on this. Currently the minimum wages are decided by the State governments and different rate prevailed across various sectors. This led to disparities and uniformity was not practical.

Elaborating the INTUC's new labour perspectives, Mr.Reddy said the economic reforms had largely benefited the rich people, industrialists and middle-level traders. The INTUC's response to these challenges was to change globalization fundamentally so that it benefited the working men and women, the unemployed and the poor.

The response revolved around the pillars of sustainable development--economic, social and environmental; universal respect of workers' fundamental rights; decent work for all; promotion of equitable distribution of wealth; organizing workers in the informal and un-organized sectors; security of income through security of jobs; and replacement of contract jobs with new system o that provided income guarantee."

"In order to promote investments, the INTUC promises that there will be no direct action such as strikes or lockouts in new units for a period of five years. Out only demand is that the new investment projects implement the existing labour laws" Mr.Reddy said. He said the INTUC's proposals in relation to provident fund, bonus and rehabilitation of sick industry were also intended to achieve the objective of employment guarantee.

INTUC has demanded a Workers' Capital Trust comprising the pension fund and other social security funds that amount to Rs.7 lakh crore. The Provident Fund Authority holds Rs.6 billion. This should be invested in the Workers' Capital Trust. Similarly, the union has demanded setting up of a Workers' Sector Industries Corporation that would takeover sick industries and fund them to rehabilitate workers. "This is a new concept which the INTUC has brought up to tackle the problems faced by workers in sick units," Mr.Reddy said.

Mr.Reddy maintained that there was need to improve the social security laws. This included amendments to the Payment of Gratuity Act 1972, envisaging a higher quantum of gratuity payments from the current 15 days to 30 days for every year of service. Similarly, the Provident Fund Act need to be amended to increase the rate of contribution from 12 to 15 per cent, he said.

Mr.Reddy called for new legislation to impose restrictions on the practice of employing people on contract. There should be a limit on the number of workers employed on contract. Or the wages of contract workers should be on par with that of permanent employees.

In a message to the INTUC leadership, which was read out by Union Finance Minister Pranad Mukherjee at the session, Congress president Sonia Gandhi lauded the role played by the INTUC in improving the condition of workers belonging to the unorganized sector. She said the organization had played a pioneering role in highlighting the concerns and promoting the interests of the working class. Workers in the unorganized sector constituted over 92 per cent of the country's workforce.

Speaking at the session Union Labour Minister Mr.Mallikarjun Kharge said that the central government had designed projects to upgrade 6906 industrial training institutes in the country to meet international standards. Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalalr Ravi underlined the need for social security schemes for workers. Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said “The public sector will remain with the Government of India and with the public.”

Nearly 6000 delegates including 40 foreign delegates from 13 countries participated in the four day meet. The national conference re-elected Mr.S.Sanjeeva Reddy as the national president, Mr.Rajendra Prsad Singh was elected as the general secretary again. Mr.K.K.nair is the new national treasurer of the INTUC. A 38-member working committee was also elected.