In a significant step towards ensuring ease of doing business, the State Labour department has proposed to introduce a self-certification scheme for adherence to various labour laws.
Aimed at simplifying the process for obtaining permissions for running the industries, the department has proposed to bring in 12 different labour-related laws, including the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment Act, 1963; the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947; the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970; and the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979, under the ambit of the self-certification scheme.
The department has already prepared a draft format that industries and commercial establishments can make use of to generate certificates, declaring that they are adhering to the stipulated labour laws. The registered industries and commercial establishments will have to submit an affidavit online to this effect to the department. A format of the affidavit will be made available on the department’s website, Deputy Labour Commissioner A H Umesh said. Currently, all industrial units have to apply for renewal of over a dozen certificates. Most of the certificates come up for renewal once in five years. And the renewal is done after conducting inspection of the establishment.
“The industry bodies had been complaining of unnecessary harassment. If the government approves the proposed scheme, it will not only simplify the process but ensure efficiency in enforcement of the laws,” he added.
The Labour department has proposed the scheme ahead of the global investors’ meet - Invest Karnataka 2016.
The meet is scheduled to be held on February 3 and 4 next year. About 10 state governments, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, have already introduced the self-certification scheme.
Online system
The State Labour department recently introduced an online system for providing services such as registration, renewal of registration certificate, filing of returns and amendments to the certificates. It has undertaken a survey of shops and commercial establishments to create their Geographic Positioning System maps.
Umesh further said once the self-declaration was introduced, the department would only conduct random inspection of industrial units. Besides, any specific complaints of violation of these Acts would be attended to. Appropriate action will be taken in case of violations, he added.
Published 15 December 2015, 20:24 IST