Amendment to Labour Laws

The Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge has informed the Lok Sabha that amendment/review of labour laws is a continuous process in order to bring them in tune with the emerging needs of the economy including to accelerate industrial growth in the country.

Recent amendments carried out include those under the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, the Apprentices Act, 1961, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the Plantation Labour Act, 1951, the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 and the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923. In addition, the Government introduced in the Parliament Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining of Registers by Certain Establishments) (Amendment) Bill, 2011, the Mines (Amendment) Bill, 2011 and the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) (Amendment) Bill, 2011.

The Minister was replying to a written question whether the Government has any proposal to amend the existing labour laws so as to accelerate industrial growth in the country; and the steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard.