The Hindu : Front Page : Elders pass OBC Apprentices quota Bill

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Friday, Aug 31, 2007
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Elders pass OBC Apprentices quota Bill

Sandeep Joshi

NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Apprentices (Amendment Bill), 2006 that seeks to provide reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in apprenticeship training in every designated trade. The original Bill of 1961 provided reservation only for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.

The Bill also seeks to provide flexibility of up to 50 per cent in engaging apprentices in a trade provided the overall quota fixed for the establishment remains the same. The employer, instead of the government, shall bear the cost of imparting instruction, says the statement of objects and reasons.

During a discussion, members asked the government to evolve a mechanism to ensure that all benefits meant for the apprentices were given and to take stringent action against defaulters.

Besides seeking an increase in the number of designated trades to make the Act more useful, they demanded a hike in stipends and additional benefits during training and that its cost be borne by employers.

The members also stressed the need for reservation for women and physically challenged people in training.

Concluding the discussion, Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes said the idea behind the exercise was to make the Act more responsive and relevant to the growing needs of industry, besides benefiting skilled and semi-skilled workers.

The government would consider the suggestions made by MPs and talk to all stakeholders to find ways of implementing them.

There would be a special focus on enrolment of women and the physically handicapped.

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