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The Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government may table two labour law amendment Bills in the Parliament shortly. These include Apprenticeship Act 1961 and Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) Act 1988.
The Union Cabinet had given clearance to amendments made to these two labour laws along with Factories Act 1947 on 30 June.
According to sources, the decision was taken in a meeting held by the labour ministry officials on Monday.
“Amendment Bills to Apprenticeship Act 1961 and Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) Act 1988 may be taken up in the current Parliament session," said a senior official.
Another official said that the ministry is pushing hard to table the Factories Act too which is in consultation stage with the union law ministry at present.
Amendments to Apprenticeship Act include allowing companies to start new trades without waiting for the Centre to notify those. Also, among key proposals cleared is doing away with the clause that allows arrest of employers for not implementing this Act.
Changes in the Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) Act include reducing the need for small firms to maintain registers. The definition of small establishments has also been proposed to be changed to firms hiring up to 40 employees, against 10 currently.
