West Bengal has the highest number of lockouts in the country, Union minister of state for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattareya today said.
"I have gone through reports on lockouts which showed that the highest number of lockouts in the country are in West Bengal," Dattareya told reporters while talking about the steps taken by the Narendra Modi government to address labours' issues in the country here today.
Asked about reasons behind the lockouts in West Bengal and whether he was focusing on any particular time regarding the issue, the minster said "I cannot tell you the specific reason behind this. I am not talking about the present situation but in totality."
"Lockouts is going to be a big problem. Workers should not come out on the road and workers' security is my prime job ... Not only their social security but also their employment has to be taken care of," he added.
Stressing that West Bengal needed to create a 'conducive atmosphere' to enhance development and safeguard workers' issues here, the central minister said "I want conducive atmosphere should be created everywhere in the country, particularly in West Bengal. More jobs have to be created and unless the relation between employer and employee is harmonious no development can speed up."
Dattareya said he has invited state Labour Minister Moloy Ghatak to Delhi to discuss other matters including this.
He described that the situation in the tea gardens of West Bengal and Assam as 'pathetic'.
"The Centre is keen to help the state governments particularly for the tea plantations because situation there is pathetic. In some places workers are on strike... I have already spoken to the Ministry of Commerce and we will formulate and help the tea plantation workers," he said.
