The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Employers, unions, government need to change mindset to popularise concept of decent work, says ILO official

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 30, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Employers, unions, government need to change mindset to popularise concept of decent work, says ILO official

Staff Reporter

Job losses part of economic development; what matters is ensuring alternative employment

CHENNAI: : A change in the mindset of the Government, trade unions and employers is essential for popularising the concept of decent work, says Herman van der Laan, director at the sub-regional office of the International Labour Organisation in New Delhi.

Built on four principles — no child labour, no forced labour, no discrimination in the world of work and recognising the freedom of association for workers and their right to collective bargaining — the concept is essential for the economic and social development. It will hugely benefit 92 per cent of the estimated 400 million unorganised workers in India, he told the 85th annual general meeting of the Employers' Federation of Southern India (EFSI) here on Wednesday.

The concept had become the global aim of the ILO and central to its operations. It would be the theme of ILO's annual Asian region meeting, scheduled for October, in South Korea. Underlining the significance of social security, he said "India has the most beautiful structure of industrial relationship in the world." But it could be effectively used to improve the living standards of the unorganised workers.

Moving from conflict to collaboration was not enough. What was needed was a mindset change on decent work. He urged India to look at a model evolved by employers and employees in Pakistan where the two sides, more out of their impatience with tripartite agreement, sorted out the issues among themselves and approached the Government for ratifying the suggestions.

Later in an interaction with presspersons, Mr. Laan said job losses were part of the economic development and not a cause of concern as much as the reasons for which they were lost.

The need was to impart alternative skills to the working class and ensure alternative employment.

"Job gives people not only income but also self-worth, confidence and an opportunity to be part of society."

EFSI president M. Subramanian said the employers were constantly revisiting the structures, processes and systems in search of a competitive framework of management.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu