Experts seek riders on workers' rights

 This was the consensus at a consultation on the issue of government employees having the right to strike, which was organised by the Indian Society of Labour Economics and the Institute for Human Development.

 The experts also said the promises of social security to the unorganised workforce were unlikely to materialise.

 Jan Breman, a professor at the University of Amsterdam, said he was sceptical of the political willingness and administrative ability of the Indian government to deliver the promised social security to the unorganised sector.

 The government had been unable to implement even existing laws like the Minimum Wages Act and to expect them to deliver on the promises of social security seemed a tall order, he said.

 Former Union minister Chaturanan Mishra said opinion should be mobilised for a law giving government employees the right to strike with restrictions.