Thaindian News

Kolkata, Jan 25 (IANS) Stating that labour laws in the state will be changed periodically, the West Bengal government Wednesday said it is plans to amend the minimum wages act and the industrial disputes act, among others.

“We are planning that labour laws should be changed periodically,” state Labour Minister Purnendu Basu told reporters on the sidelines of a programme organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) here.

Basu said amendment was required in the laws regarding minimum wages, industrial disputes act and laws regarding construction workers.

Under the existing act, the minimum wage of a worker is calculated on the basis of three-member family. The minister said the wage should be calculated on the basis of a minimum five-member family.

“Also there is, currently, no provision in the industrial disputes act that can force a company management to come to a conciliation officer to settle a dispute. Unless and until the management comes to the officer, the problem cannot be solved,” he said.

Calling for merger of different trade unions, he said multiplicity of unions at a company was a “problem” which was existing for decades.

“I talked to different unions. At many places there are three committees (of a particular labour union) under a particular registration number. These things are not legal. There are provisions in the Trade Union Act under which many trade unions can merge if their interests are same,” Basu stated.

The minister urged both industrialists and labour unions to inform the government about any industrial dispute in the state.

“There is a trend to resolve major disputes through negotiations at bipartite level…now, I would like to use this opportunity to provide the missing link in this topic. I would like to share the expectations of the government…our very first expectation from you is to envision the future of industrial relations in West Bengal as a partnership between the government, management and trade unions,” he said.