GoM for easing textile labour laws: Vaghela

The government has set up a sub-group within the group of ministers (GoM) to make labour laws in the textile industry flexible with a view to increasing exports.

"The group comprises commerce minister, textile minister, labour minister, chief ministers of states and trade unions. The first meeting of the group will be held within a month," Sankersinh Vaghela, Textile Minister, said here.

The sub-group would look at the proposal of increasing hours in a shift from 9 to 12. "It will also look at the posibility of increasing the working hours in a week from 48 to 60," Vaghela said.

Another proposal the group would look at is allowing textile units to hire workers on contract for a short period, Vaghela said.

The industry, especially garment exporters, have been demanding flexible labour laws due to the seasonal nature of their business and had even met the Left on the issue.