Controversial bills to amend labour laws introduced in LS

 Amid objections by opposition, two controversial bills were introduced on Thursday in Lok Sabha to amend labour laws that seek to relax night shifts by women, increase the limit of overtime for workers and apprenticeship training for non-engineering graduates.

The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and the Apprentices (Amendment) Bill 2014 was introduced by Labour Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, both of which was cleared by the Union Cabinet last week.

The introduction of the Factories Bill met with stiff opposition with Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge alleging that the measure, which it will affect crores of workers in the country, was being done in haste and its introduction should be deferred as it had to be examined.