State govt likely to go slow on changes in labour laws

Panaji: Although there are several representations from the Goan industry for relaxations in state labour laws so as to bear the hardships of the coronavirus-induced lockdown, the state government is likely to move slowly with regard to making major changes in the legislations that affect workers and local units.

On Tuesday, Labour Commissioner Raju Gawas said the government would be “selective” in amending the labour laws during the lockdown phase.

“We have to be selective in acceding to the request of the industry. On one side is the industry and on the other are the labour unions. Any decision taken will have fallout on either side,” said Gawas.

He said the government has acceded to the demand of the industry for a 12-hour shift, but will not be willing to agree to a relaxation in the minimum wages or payment of salaries during the lockdown period. “I don’t think any state should take a call on minimum wages. In my opinion, it should not be taken. If you tweak minimum wages, it will affect consumption. Workers will not be able to eat. They will have to go to bed with one meal per day,” said the Labour Commissioner.

He said the labour department has asked the local units not to terminate anybody or reduce wages during the lockdown period. “The department has already issued an advisory in March to the local unit owners asking them not to cut salaries. Some violations are there but they are being sorted out,” said Gawas.

According to the Labour Commissioner, post intervention from the labour department, several units that were unwilling to pay salaries during the lockdown period have subsequently paid. He said that labour officials are in touch with the unit owners’ associations of various industrial estates as well as the Goa Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association to persuade them to pay full salaries and wages. The unwillingness of the local industry to pay employees is a temporary phase, according to Gawas.

Several states have amended the labour laws or suspended them altogether. In Uttar Pradesh, the government brought an ordinance to exempt industries from labour laws for 1,000 days, while Gujarat has given a 1,200-day labour law exemption to new units.

The industry’s demand is that excluding compliance with minimum wages, Factory Act and two-three crucial laws, the remaining labour laws must be excused during the lockdown period. However, the Labour Commissioner has indicated that caution is needed in making similar amendments in the state.