Will protect workers' interest, says India at ILO

In the wake of growing protests by trade unions, India assured the International Labour Organization (ILO) of protecting workers’ interest.

Addressing the United Nations body, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said that the Government of India is committed to protect and safeguard the interests of workers and upholding the dignity of labour. 

He also highlighted the measures taken to improve social security cover to workers of unorganised sector while addressing the International Labour conference held at Geneva last week.

The trade unions are opposed to proposed changes in labour laws. The trade unions are up in arms over these proposals which would make it difficult for the workers to register and run trade unions. They have also announced national strike on September 2.

“The government is committed to protect and safeguard the interests of workers and upholding the dignity of labour. Financial inclusion and social security cover for everyone is the top priority for the government especially for the vulnerable class of workers, “he said.

He highlighted government’s effort towards providing social security covers to the unorganised workers.

He said also that the government has initiated the process of providing an umbrella card to the unorganised sector workers.

“This move will bring social security coverage for 1 billion people. For the organised sector, portability of provident fund benefits in a hassle free manner has been assured for more than 50 million workers,” he said.

However, he iterated that poverty eradication and job creation are the top priorities of the Narendra Modi government.

“India believes that poverty eradication and job creation are primary objectives to achieve inclusive growth under the ambit of Sustainable Development Goals in United Nations Framework,” he said. He referred to Make in India, Skill India, Digital India and Smart Cities Project in this context.