'Govt to bring labour law reforms for electronic manufacturing'

New Delhi: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday said that the government is planning to bring reforms in labour laws specifically aimed at the electronic manufacturing industry.

“We are discussing with the Ministry of Labour on how to introduce reforms in labour laws as the government aims to massively scale up electronic manufacturing in the country,” Vaishnaw told reporters here.

“Since states also need to make changes in the labour laws, we have also discussed the issues with them. Several states also agreed to make suitable changes in labour laws to help electronic manufacturing industries,” he said.

Pointing out that unlike other industries, the electronic manufacturing plants function in a temperature-controlled atmosphere and house a large number of employees within one campus, changes in the law are necessary as per industry requirements, he said.

When asked whether the labour law changes will only be for electronic manufacturing or related sectors like IT, the minister said, "Wherever changes are required, we are ready to make them as per the changing job market as well as industry scenario."

The electronic manufacturing industries have been demanding changes in labour regulations on key issues like flexible working hours, shift patterns, and worker housing.

Meity is discussing with the states  on setting up industrial housing at factory premises, change in working pattern and overtime payments, said an official in the Ministry.

The official also said that the changes were also required to recruit women in large numbers on the shop floor in electronics manufacturing plants, something not prevalent in other manufacturing units like automobiles.

At present, making dormitories for workers in the industrial premises is not permitted under laws and therefore the Meity is in discussions with the Labour Ministry to make suitable amendments, said the official.