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This is one of the
worst anti-labour legislative measures that came in the wake of ‘liberalization’
policies. The foreign and Indian Big Capital has always been demanding such
measure.
Immediately after the
polling of Assembly elections were over, on February 23rd, the cabinet decision
to amend the Industrial Disputes Act,1947 was announced. Its anti-people’s
nature can be gazed from this. A year ago, The finance minister already declared
the government intention to bring such legislation in last year’s Economic
Survey.
The present amendment
to remove the VB chapter of Industrial Dispute Act, which puts some procedural
restrictions on the employers to retrench, lay-off, close the units will give
the Capitalists to remove, retrench, lay off, close down without any
restriction. The so-called hire and fire policy. Presently the industry needs to
governments permission to close the industry if it employs more than 100
workers. Now the government wants to increase the limit to 1000 workers. It
means the hire and fire policy covers the almost the entire working class.
This anti-working
class legislation was part of the series of anti-labour measures envisaged to
give unfettered rights to exploit the working class. Amendments to the Contract
Labour Act, and Trade Union Act are on the anvil. The economy is facing severe
crisis and the imperialists and Indian Big capital wants to throw the burden on
the working class as well as other section of the people.
The opposition to the
anti-labour amendment is quite wide spread. The bourgeoisie and revisionist
trade unions opposed and are planning for general strike. Shiv Sena threatened
BJP that it would with draw its ministers if the government insists on its
legislation. It said it would join hands with left and call for a nation wide
strike. BMS also protested against this move.
The revisionist
unions on one hand they are opposing the anti-labour measures, when it comes to
their governments, they are no different from the bourgeoisie parties in
implementing the liberalisation policies. The Congress government in Maharashtra
already came out with amendment to the Industrial Tribunal Act that employers
need not take permission if the unit employs up to 300. The upper limit was
raised from 100 to 300. These union leaderships are thoroughly anti-working
class but are forced to come out as it is threatening their social base. Because
of this opportunism in the working class movement, the struggles will narrow
down and ultimately they do compromise. The working class should unite and fight
with all its might to defeat the anti-labour policies. At the same the working
class should realize the character of the bourgeoisie and revisionist leadership
and establish its own leadership in the fight against imperialist globalisation
and futher advance the struggle.
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