Kerala   

Good industrial climate needed for State's development - Enforcing rights

The State Government has proposed a trade union recognition bill, aiming to set standards for the functioning of trade unions in industries. Will such a law give a fillip to the industrial scenario? Our readers respond:

Enforcing rights

The headload workers Bill, which aims at the welfare of the people as well as the headload workers, brought in by the previous UDF Government suffered a natural death at the hands of the LDF Government. Labour Minister P.K. Gurudasan, as soon as he assumed office, announced that the aforesaid Bill would not be implemented.

The workers shower abuses and, if necessary, use muscle power to `enforce their rights' when it comes to unloading things. They even `exercise authority' by entering Government offices to load/unload articles demanding wages according to their whims and fancies. Nobody is against enforcing the legitimate rights of a headload worker. But it should be within the framework of the law. Will the present LDF Government act on these lines?

C.J. Philipose

Thiruvananthapuram

Change mindset

The proposed Bill must be legally tenable. It should be introduced with the right intentions. It should play a catalyst's role in promoting harmonious industrial relations and bidding adieu to unwarranted strikes, lockouts, gheraoing and other direct action methods. The effectiveness of any law depends on the attitude of the social groups for which the law is enacted. The mindset of the employers and employees has to undergo a change. This would help in making the maximum of the new industrial climate of globalisation, liberalisation and privatisation.

The proposed Bill may include clear-cut provisions for containing the mushrooming growth of trade unions that have only a microscopic membership. Another important provision to be included is the curtailment of outside leadership in trade unions. This will prevent hijacking of the unions by political parties. The interests of employees can be protected this way. The office-bearers of any union should consist only of employees.

The Bill must address the issue of trade unionism in IT industry. If the IT sector is not covered under the new Act, the alternatives should be specified. Last but not least, this new enactment by any stretch of imagination shall not disturb the new generation industries such as software and biotechnology, which provide employment to the educated youth of this State.

Shahul Hameed I

Thiruvananthapuram

New era

In Kerala, trade unionism is active in every sphere of the economy. It has its effect on the social, political and cultural landscape of the State. No doubt, trade unions have made remarkable achievements by securing better wages and safe working environment for labourers. They have also played a pivotal role in checking exploitation of workers and protecting their basic rights.

But do we require so many trade unions in a State that contributes only very little to the nation's industrial output? This proliferation of unions is causing a plethora of problems to managements and the State alike. Finalisation of wage revision or other allowances to workers is inordinately delayed. It is difficult to arrive at a consensus due to the presence of many unions. In order to prove their might, some unions resort to unethical practices, thereby destroying the harmony at work. At times, extreme politicisation of events leads to holding managements to ransom and even stoppage of work.

The proposed Bill should aim at utilising the trade unions to motivate the employees and positively intervene in industrial production. Referendum should be conducted to find out the actual membership of trade unions. The provisions in the Bill also give enough legroom for unions to negotiate for the rights of workers. Let us hope that the new Bill will usher in an era of industrial harmony coupled with growth.

Reghu P.L

Thiruvananthapuram

Vision required

We require the help of various workers, skilled and unskilled, in our daily life. It is our aspiration that they should charge us moderately in rendering service to us. So everyone expects to have a people-friendly trade union in the State. It is a progressive move on the part of the Government to formulate a new Bill regulating the functioning of trade unions.

For development, we need both public and private sector industries. They generate more jobs and it will thus gradually reduce unemployment. If the trade unions adopt an industry-friendly approach and pursue such policies, many people and establishments shall be ready to invest in the State. Every trade union should know that those who invest money are not our benefactors. They expect profit. It is a fact that the growth of any industry depends on the output of the workforce. A trade union with a vision will be an impetus to any industry in achieving success.

N. Ramachandran

Vakkom

Change mindset

The trade union movement in the State has had a chequered history. Heightened labour activism over the years secured better working and living conditions for the workforce. However, the healthy bargaining culture gradually gave way to tactics of intimidation and violence. This vitiated the industrial atmosphere in the State and resulted in the closure of many industries. The organisations became increasingly politicised and the consequent militancy and ideological fanaticism drove entrepreneurial activity out of the State.

The proposed legislation is a welcome move in so far it seeks to address the problem of fragmentation of workers' organisations and attempts to infuse some order in the functioning of the trade unions. However, it would be unrealistic to expect a paradigm shift in the trade union culture in the present political environment.

The services sector driven economy cannot generate jobs for all. Only the growth of the manufacturing segment can help tackle unemployment in a big way. The traditional mindset which views the industrialists/managements as adversaries should change. Genuine industrial activity, which generates legitimate profits after providing jobs and paying taxes to the Government, should not be viewed with suspicion and hostility. The industrialists, on their part, should engage the workers in a consultative and participatory relationship as stakeholders, to foster a healthy industrial climate. The political parties, which control the trade unions, should take the lead in ushering in a new trade union culture in the State.

V.N. Mukundarajan

Thiruvananthapuram

Labourers' welfare

In some sectors such as construction, trade unions will help to improve the pathetic working condition of workers. Their sincere acts may make contractors pay the labourers properly. Politics should not get linked with any of the activities of the trade union. It should purely be concerned with the welfare of the employees. Unions must devise ways to enhance productivity. No political party should be allowed to misuse the clout of trade unions. The State must not lose its investor-friendly image.

Deepa Nair M.S

Thiruvananthapuram

Set standards

There has been no significant growth in the industrial sector in the State. Though successive Governments have offered various sops to attract investment, the State is unable to attract major investment except in the IT sector. One main reason attributed is the growth of various trade unions and the militant policies of these unions.

In this context, the State Government's move to set standards for the functioning of trade unions assumes importance. Various policies of the Government and the stance of political parties often embolden trade unions to come up with unreasonable demands.

Another hurdle is the multiplicity of trade unions in every industry.

The Government should take note of this important aspect.

K. Sivasubramanian

Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram

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