Reforms do not mean complete abolition of labour laws: Niti Aayog

In recent weeks, various state governments, including Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, have either made amendments or proposed changes to existing labour laws as part of larger efforts to help businesses that have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

“I have just noticed that the Union Ministry of Labour is firming up its stance to tell the states that they cannot abolish labour laws because India is a signatory to the International Labour Organisation (ILO),” Kumar said. “Therefore, it is clear the Centre does not believe that the reform of labour laws implies complete lack of labour laws... The government is committed to protecting the interest of workers,” he said, to a query on whether labour reforms by states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat can be done without creating some kind of social safety net for workers.