Unions toughen stand on reforms: 

Unions toughen stand on reforms: 

Context:

The Labour Ministry set to discuss five proposals in the Code on Industrial Relations Bill with trade unions.

What is the issue?

• The Labour Code on Industrial Relations Bill, 2015, had proposed to combine Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the Trade Unions Act, 1926, and the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.
• It is supposed to be an attempt to encourage compliance and improve the ease of doing business.
• Central Trade Unions want the proposed Code on Industrial Relations Bill to be scrapped
• They have opposed the government’s plans to ease retrenchment norms and to restrict trade union membership under the Industrial Disputes Act

What proposals in the Code on Industrial Relations Bill are set to be discussed with the Trade Unions?

• Allowing bigger companies to retrench workers without the government’s permission

• Increasing the severance pay by three times

• Restricting outsiders’ role in trade union leadership

• Changing the definition of ‘workers’

• Procedure for recognition of trade unions