All India service for labour administration mooted

The working group on labour laws and other labour regulations for the 12th Plan Period has also recommended that the proposed amendments in the Minimum Wages Act, the Contract Labour Act and the Factories Act should be put on fast track during the plan period, Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said.

The proposed amendment are currently at various stages of consultation.

In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, he said recommendations include strengthening of enforcement machinery by way of increasing manpower and improving infrastructure for improving enforcement of labour laws.

At present, the ratio of enforcement officer to industrial establishment is very low.

"Over the years, the number of Acts, number of establishments and number of workers have increased manifold. The Working Group, therefore, suggests a complete review of the strength of the enforcement machinery," he said in his reply.