Assam: Government amends ID Act, allows companies to retrench up to 300 workmen without prior approval
14 October 2018: President assented to the Industrial Disputes (Assam Amendment) Bill, 2017 which would replace the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 in the state. The amendment allows companies to retrench up to 300 workers without prior approval from the government. As per the ID Act, 1947 companies were required to seek prior approval from the government if retrenching more than 100 workers. The amendment also hikes severance pay for workers from 15 to 60 days. To fulfil the promise of ‘Ease of Doing Business’ for companies the government at the centre has been pushing states to amend key labour laws. Since 2014 Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Haryana have similarly amended the ID Act, 1947.
Delhi: Government mandates retention of 80% of old workers for new projects
10 October 2018: Taking cognizance of complaints from workers and trade unions of contractors hiring new workers or bringing in their workforce in case of fresh tenders and/or renewal of contracts and rendering existing workers jobless, the Delhi cabinet has mandated for labour contractors to retain at least 80% of the workforce from their previous contract when they are awarded a fresh tender or the contract is renewed. Delhi government is the largest employer of contract workers hired through various labour contractors, the move will ensure employment security to migrant contract workers.
Andhra Pradesh: Government launches unemployment allowance scheme for youth
02 October 2018: The Andhra Pradesh government has launched the Mukhyamantri Yuva Nestam scheme which will benefit 2.08lakh unemployed youngsters of the state. Under the scheme the state will provide a unemployment allowance of Rs.1000 per month. Any unemployed youth with a ‘White Ration Card’ can apply for the unemployment benefit scheme online.
Assam: Government introduces maternity benefit scheme for tea garden workers
01 October 2018: Assam state government has introduced a maternity benefit scheme for tea garden workers which includes a compensation of ₹12,000 which will be paid in four instalments – ₹2,000 (in the first trimester), ₹4,000 (in the second trimester), ₹3,000 (for institutional delivery) and Rs 3,000 (for registration of the child’s birth). In addition, pregnant workers will get assistance for ante-natal care and the first cycle of immunization of the child. Women will also be entitled to leave from third trimester of pregnancy to three months after delivery. Women form the bulk of the workforce in the state’s 800-odd tea gardens.
The Annual Health Survey of 2012-13 puts MMR at 404 in the tea gardens, whereas the state’s average is 301. The national average during 2014-16 was 130.
The Rs 12,000 compensation will be paid in four instalments – Rs 2,000 (in the first trimester), Rs 4,000 (in the second trimester), Rs 3,000 (for institutional delivery) and Rs 3,000 (for registration of the child’s birth). In addition, pregnant workers will get assistance for ante-natal care and the first cycle of immunization of the child.
