After granting exemption to IT/ITeS, animation and knowledge-based industries from strikes and bandhs as part of its new IT policy announced last month, the state government is all set to come up with a “code of conduct”, albeit “voluntary”, for industries operating in Karnataka."
This was disclosed by deputy labour commissioner, region-1, Bangalore, G Manjunath on Wednesday.
“The process started about one-and-half months ago; we are in talks with some local industry associations to begin with; once we arrive at a draft, we will broadbase the discussions to include other employer associations and trade unions. The objective is to evolve a voluntary collaborative system for all stakeholders in industrial relations,” he said on the sidelines of annual HR conference organised by CII here.
He said that a spate of violent behaviour by employees over industrial disputes triggered such a move.
The “code of conduct” is likely to to be finalised in a month, Manjunath added.
He was apparently referring to the incident in July this year when the HR manager of Schneider Electric IT Business, Deepak Mangalore was attacked by some company workers after attending conciliation meeting called by deputy labour commissioner, region-2 at his office.
Besides, another development was the announcement of Parle Products factory closure at Tumkuar in August this year after prolonged labour unrest and violence for two years and failure to reconcile differences between the company management and workers.
When contacted, the co-chairman of Southern Regional Council, Assocham, J Crasta referred to the proposed code of conduct as a negative development.
“Industry is already governed by about 56 laws of central government and Karnataka government. Where is the need for anything more?”
Trade body BCIC president H V Harish also denied any knowledge about the proposed move.