I am all for labour reforms, says Sharad Yadav

By Soma Basu

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 8. The Union Labour Minister, Mr. Sharad Yadav, who finds himself at the centre of a controversy over his alleged lack of enthusiasm for labour reforms, today said he was all for reforms and would go along with the Government's policies to complete the long-awaited task.

Upset over his ``image'' in a section of the press as being ``non-cooperative'', the Minister clarified that he was very much a ``team player'' in the NDA Government's plans to fine-tune the labour laws in accordance with the changing market economy. Mr. Yadav is believed to have come in for criticism from the corporate sector at the Prime Minister's interaction with industrialists on Friday.

Talking to The Hindu here today, Mr. Yadav, said the onus of bringing about a consensus on labour reforms lay with the Prime Minister. He was sure that the Prime Minister would be able to secure the cooperation of all political parties.

The consensus model for labour reforms was mooted by the Prime Minister and, therefore, the question of his idea being ``rejected'' or he being ``anti-labour'' did not arise at all. The labour reforms would have to be pushed at the Prime Minister's level, as all the major trade unions are affiliated with this or that political party. Even the BJP- affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh has been most vocal in its opposition to reforms at the expense of labour.

Asked whether he would delay reforms if the Government could not get the requisite consensus on the matter, Mr. Yadav said, ``even if the Prime Minister's consensus model fails, I will go ahead with reforms to fight the economic slowdown.''

To underline the sincerity of his commitments, the new Labour Minister cited his efforts as the Civil Aviation Minister to ensure reforms in that sector too, despite being criticised for non-performance. Mr. Yadav said he, as Minister for Civil Aviation, and Mr. Jagmohan, as Minister for Urban Development, were the only two Ministers who had successfully de- bureaucratised their departments. He claimed that he had managed to convert Air-India from a loss-making enterprise into a profit- making business venture.

Mr. Yadav brushed aside allegations of staying away from the Prime Minister's meeting on September 4 where it was decided to set up a Group of Ministers to work out reforms in labour laws. He reiterated that in the interest of the nation and for the benefit of the workers, he would definitely be a part of the team involved in reforming labour laws.

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