Why in news?
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has recommended that the government issue guidelines directing direct workers to rejoin duty.
The recommendation, along with several more, were made at a meeting between CII representatives and Labour and Employment Minister.
What were the recommendations made by the CII?
- Those failing to report for work must be made liable for action under the Employment Standing Order Act and the Industrial Dispute Act.
- States needed to put the revision of minimum wages on hold for at least one year and that normal working hours of employees across sectors are increased by allowing four hours overtime per day.
- The workers’ consent has to be taken for the overtime.
- Migrant workers residing in shelter homes or available locally near the industrial belts be mapped and deployed to the nearest factories.
- The provisions of layoff under the Industrial Dispute Act be extended to commercial establishments as a job retention measure for workers having no work. For the period of layoff, such workers shall remain on rolls and will get reduced wages along with statutory benefits such as ESIC and PF. Further, it sought removal of labour advisories issued under the Disaster Management Act that prohibits employers from any wage reduction, layoff and retrenchment of workers.
- The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana ought to be extended to more establishments.
- Employees’ State Insurance Corporation and the EPFO should take up massive campaigns and draw up a communication strategy to inform workers to rejoin work.
About Confederation of Indian Industries CII:
- The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is an industry association in India which was founded in 1895.
- CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization.
- It has over 9,000 members, from the private as well as public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs.
- CII works with the Government on policy issues.
- CII has been a catalyst of change in India’s economic policy reforms. CII played a very important role during economic liberalisation in 1991.
- CII correlates with Government, NGOs, and civil society to help industry flourish effective programs for social development.
- The CII Publications include Reports that are widely respected.
Functions of CII
- To identify and strengthen industry’s role in the economic development of the country
- To act as a catalyst in bringing about the growth and development of Indian Industry
- To reinforce industry’s commitment to society
- To provide up-to-date information and data to industry and government
- To create awareness and support industry’s efforts on quality, environment, energy management, and consumer protection
- To identify and address the special needs of the small sector to make it more competitive
- To promote cooperation with counterpart organisations
- To work towards the globalisation of Indian industry and integration into the world economy
Extra notes:
- Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has launched a Fiscal Performance Index (FPI) to assess state and central budgets.
- The Index incorporates qualitative assessments of revenue expenditure, capital expenditure, revenues, fiscal prudence and the level of public debt.
