CPM willing to discuss labour reforms

Countering the argument that Left parties were opposed to labour reforms, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury wondered how could reforms be opposed without the government making a tangible proposal.

"So far, no tangible proposal has been made by the government (on amendment of labour laws). If there are some proposals let us discuss it," he said during a panel discussion at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

Reacting to Commerce Minister Kamal Nath's comment that industry keeps on pleading with us on liberalising labour laws, he said the government should bring their proposals to the Left parties.

"Then you should plead with us."

"We have been made a scare crow," Yechury, who is Politburo member of the CPI(M), said while protesting the comment from the floor that the Left parties were derailing all the reforms proposed by the government.

While seconding the need for reforms, he said the second generation of economic reforms should reform the reform process itself. "There is a need for a mid-course correction."

Yechury said the reforms should not just focus on increasing corporate profits, but also look at making the country's population a real asset by providing them training and health facilities.

He said the government would have to drive investment in infrastructure and not wait for the private sector to do it.

"All over the world, the infrastructure has been built by public funds. The lead taken by government creates opportunities for private sector," Yechury added.