More than a month after the Parliamentary Committee on Labour wrote to eight State governments seeking explanation on the changes brought to the labour laws during the extended lockdown, three BJP-ruled States — Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh — have not responded, despite two reminders from the Committee.
The three States have effected the most significant changes, suspending the majority of the labour laws for a period up to three years.
The Committee had sought details of the amendments made by them and also the instruments (executive order or ordinance) used to effect the change. A total of 13 State governments had diluted the labour laws in May, with eight of them raising the daily working hours from eight to 12 hours.
When asked if this amounted to undermining the Parliamentary Standing Committee, Labour Committee Chairperson and Biju Janata Dal MP Bhartruhari Mahtab said, “I can only say that their reply is awaited.”
Sources said the State governments concerned have been tardy in responding, with only sending in its response within a week. The Rajasthan government replied only a few days back. Among other changes, it has amended the Industrial Disputes Act to increase the threshold of companies coming under the law from those employing 100 workers to those having 300 workers.