The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Providing social security to employees is a priority, says Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 06, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Providing social security to employees is a priority, says Minister

Staff Reporter

GETTING ACQUAINTED: Labour Minister Iqbal Ansari (right), Sushil Kumar Jiwarajka, president, AIOE (left), and B.C. Prabhakar, president, Karnataka Employers' Association, at a function to discuss industrial relations, in Bangalore on Saturday. 1; Photo: K. Gopinathan

BANGALORE: "Cooperation between employer and employee plays a major role in increased productivity," Minister for Labour Iqbal Ansari said here on Saturday.

He was speaking after inaugurating a "Social dialogue for improving industrial relations, growth and employment generation" organised by the All-India Organisation of Employers (AIOE).

Makes offer

The Minister offered to consider proposals made by employer associations in the State. "The Government is focussed on encouraging industrial growth and employee-employer relationships, as Bangalore has become a hub for several major industries." He said providing social security to employees of the organised, unorganised and agricultural sectors was a priority for the Government.

`Work in unison'

Leyla Tegmo Reddy, director, International Labour Organisation (ILO) - SRO, New Delhi, spoke on the merits of a dialogue between employer and employees to improve standards. She urged managements and unions to work in unison to prevent friction.

"The ILO has three concerns: to provide employment opportunities for all, social protection to employees and to abolish the child labour system in the country," she said and stressed the need to double employment opportunities in India.

Intellectual capital

B.C. Prabhakar, president, Karnataka Employers' Association, said, "Bangalore now enjoys the `intellectual capital' status in the country with lots of skilled labourers and supportive infrastructure. Improving industrial relations, growth and generating more job opportunities will take the whole country a few steps further," he added.

Sushil Kumar Jiwarajka, president, AIOE, New Delhi, and B.P. Pant, secretary, were present.

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