Labour norms eased for firms with 40 workers

The Government has approved easing of labour laws to exempt establishments employing up to 40 workers from maintaining mandatory registers and
submitting returns.

The Government proposes to introduce a simplified form, which will give relief to employers of such establishments, who are currently required to maintain registers and submit returns under various labour laws, the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mr Priyaranjan Dasmunsi, told presspersons after a Cabinet meeting here.

In order to achieve the objective of relaxing the labour laws, the Cabinet approved changes in Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and maintaining Registers by Central Establishments) Amendments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill, 2005, which has been pending in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill would now be renamed as the Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) Amendment Bill, 2007, the Minister said.

The CCEA meeting also reaffirmed the termination of the Purchase Preference Policy (PPP) on products and services of state-run firms from March next year to provide a level-playing field to private players and enhance competition. “The CCEA gave its approval to reiterate the earlier decision of the government that PPP for products and services of CPSEs will be terminated with effect from March 31 next year,” he said.