New Delhi, August 29, 2024.
In the first such meeting with stakeholders post elections, Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met trade unions on Wednesday to discuss the Budget announcement of employment-linked incentive (ELI) schemes. The Minister has sought suggestions from trade unions to formulate the ELI schemes, which he stressed have been designed to encourage businesses to generate more employment and provide meaningful and sustainable jobs for the youth.
Ten central trade unions submitted a 17-point agenda to the Minister flagging concerns over the absence of consultations with unions while formulating the labour policies and schemes, especially the four labour codes. Mandaviya stressed that the input of the trade unions is valuable and assured the trade unions that such meetings will be a continuous process to seek inputs of trade unions for formulating policies and schemes.
Trade unions, which include Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), and Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), have demanded a minimum wage of Rs 26,000 and regular revision of it every five years with price indexation. The unions have also asked for a minimum pension of Rs 9,000 under the EPS 95 scheme,.the constitution of the 8th Pay Commission at the earliest along with a demand for withdrawal of fixed term employment.