Currently, there are around 500 million workers in India, the second largest after China. Of these, over 94 per cent work in unincorporated and unorganized enterprises. They vary from pushcart vendors to home-based diamond and gem polishing operations. 5 to 10 million are added to these numbers each year.
Covid has upset the lives of these workers, as we are reading touching stories of their abandonment at their workplaces following the abrupt announcement of the lockdown, and their travails getting back to their homes. As soon as the current harvest season is over, many of these workers, temporarily employed in the farms, will be forced to be back to their former workplaces spread over different states. The harsh reality, however, will be, many of their employers might have wound up their businesses.
The government had virtually no role in regulating this workforce from the unorganized sector, which nearly equals the combined population of the US, UK and France. The workers will be more vulnerable than ever before while seeking new placements, as the small enterprises cannot afford the workers housing and related facilities anytime soon.
The states are aware of the indispensability of migrant workers and have already started wooing them. Some are offering them re-return to work, while some others like the UP, MP, Rajasthan and Gujarat have suspended most of the labour laws for up to three years. Factories Act is exempted for new factories, and so are the laws relating to Contract workers. Save the Minimum Wages Act, which will be in force, even basic compliances like maintaining a workers’ register are being done away with.
The struggling employers’ have demanded a 72 hour-per week permitted work period, and their right to hire and fire. Labour being in the concurrent list the proposals would have to be approved by the Centre as well.
The draconian labour laws, heavily leaning in favour of the workers, were always an impediment in employing a large number of workers. The disconnect between worker and productivity has been a bother for industries for long. Many seasonal businesses like food processing and hospitality sectors therefore suffered.
Alarmed over the dilution of the laws, the workers’ union have threatened to fight the move tooth and nail. The states fiercely competing against each other for the shrinking pie of manufacturing industry might forsake the labourer’s interests to attract investments.
None will contest the fact that labour laws must favour both the employers and the workers but must be simple. Lowly inspectors must not harass the investors on one or another pretext. Right now, the mood seems to be to ‘rebuild’ speedily and whatever cost!
The human cost must not be among one that is tossed out!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
