Unions ask PM for separate social security Bills

A delegation of CPI(M) MPs today met the prime minister and asked him to ensure introduction of separate legislation on social security for unorganised sector and agriculture workers in the ongoing session of Parliament.

"Although the government has completed three years, the legislation, which is a part of its national common minimum programme, has not been introduced in Parliament," said Md Amin, general secretary, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).

Even during the Budget session, the labour minister had given a commitment that the Bill would be introduced, he said. According to Md Amin, the prime minister told them that the Cabinet discussed the Bill yesterday and worked out some plans for the sector.

Despite the National Commission for Entreprises in Unorganised Sector (NCEUS) submitting the drafts of separate legislation for unorganised sector and agriculture workers, the Cabinet approved a truncated Bill, he said.

"We urge the labour minister to finalise the Bills on basis of the NCEUS drafts and recommendations in consultation with the trade unions in the ongoing session itself," he said.

The Left-affiliated unions made it clear that they would not allow the Bill cleared by the Cabinet to be introduced in Parliament.