NEW DELHI: The Center said Monday it will consider changes to the proposed rules under the new labor laws to allow for more flexibility in working hours.
Union Labor Secretary Apurva Chandra said that while workers can be required to work a maximum of 48 hours per week, individual companies will be able to modify daily working hours, with the consent of their employees, from 8 to 12 hours a day, provided that the limit more than 48 hours is not breached, and employees get the remaining time of the week as paid vacation.
He also said that the Ministry of Labor and Employment is expected to complete the process of finalizing the rules under the four labor codes soon. The ministry is also expected, Chandra said, to establish the Web portal for the registration of the unorganized sector, including platform and concert workers and migrant workers by June 2021. The portal will also help formulate health, housing, skills, insurance, credit and food plans for migrant workers.
Workers registered in the portal will also receive a free coverage incentive for a period of one year for accident and disability coverage according to Pradhan mantri Suraksha Bhima Yojana (PMSBY).
“The rule-making process is underway and is likely to be completed within the next week. All interested parties are also consulted in the development of the rules. This ministry would soon be in a position to put all four codes into effect; Code of wages, labor relations; Occupational security; Health and working conditions (OSH); and social security codes, ”said Chandra.
The Ministry of Labor had planned the implementation of the four labor codes as of April 1 of this year.
Chandra also said that Labor Office prepares to launch four new surveys on migrant workers, domestic workers and employment generated by professionals and the transport sector. The Bureau will also commission a ‘All India Establishment Employment survey (AIEES) ‘. The results of all these surveys are likely to be obtained within eight to nine months from the start of the actual field surveys, he said.
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