New Delhi, August 04: The Centre has directed states to implement labour laws to protect interest of workers in the backdrop of global slowdown leaving impact on the Indian economy, Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
“The impact of global slowdown on the Indian economy has been felt since the middle of 2008….Our Ministry is closely monitoring the situation. The state governments have also been advised to ensure industrial peace and implement labour laws so that the interest of the workmen is protected,” he said.
In his reply to a Calling Attention Notice on situation arising out of the large-scale loss of jobs, he said government is taking “all possible steps” to successfully address the challenge.
He said three recent fiscal stimulus packages by the government and monetary easing measures by the Reserve Bank of India helped in keeping the economy on the growth trajectory, though at a moderate level compared with the previous years.
The economy grew by 6.7 per cent in 2008-09 against nine per cent in the previous fiscal.
Addressing concerns raised by CPI members D Raja, R C Singh and Mohammed Amin (CPI-M) on retrenchment and closure of industries, Kharge said there are restrictions on lay-offs under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
–Agencies