Rahul Gandhi said there cannot be any compromise on the basic principles by allowing unsafe workplaces.
Congress's Rahul Gandhi today tweeted his criticism of the change in labour laws by some states to allow industry to revive after the seven-week lockdown over coronavirus. The fight against coronavirus cannot be "an excuse for crushing human rights", Mr Gandhi tweeted, joining voice with the labour unions, Left parties and activists who have stringently riticized the move.
"Many states are amending labour laws. We are in this fight together against corona but this can't be an excuse for crushing human rights, giving permission for unsafe workplaces, exploitation of labourers and suppressing their voice. A compromise can't be reached on these basic principles," Rahul Gandhi posted in Hindi.
So far six states made changes in labour laws, which mainly make way for longer hours instead of the regular eight-hour shifts. In most cases, the new requirements are 12 hours.
Among them is Congress-ruled Rajasthan, which passed the notification on April 11 extending working hours for three months. This, the state said, would allow firms to run operations for six days with a reduction of 33 per cent capacity of "people passing through the facility".
Rajasthan, however, has said that payment for the additional four hours --on which there is little clarity in the other states -- will be made considering it as overtime.
The BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have frozen key labour laws, allowing industrial houses more flexibility in hiring and firing employees, deciding on wages and benefits.
Other states that have passed similar rules include Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh – affiliated to BJP's ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh -- has instructed its state units to oppose unilateral withdrawal of labour laws. It has asked its state units to write to all Chief Ministers on changes being incorporated in the labour laws.
Last week, Uttar Pradesh Labour Minister Swami Prasad Maurya strongly supported the ordinance or executive order passed on May 6, saying it would help revive defunct industries and help returning migrant labourers.
"Those shedding crocodile tears do not know that we have opened up new avenues of investment while keeping in mind the interests of workers. We have opened up the possibility of attracting new investment and of reviving defunct industries. We want that migrant workers returning to UP to get employment here and that is why we have brought this ordinance," Mr Maurya said.