Labour Laws

The Central Committee discussed the Draft Review Report of the Political-Tactical Line of the Party. This review was undertaken in order to identify any weaknesses or shortcomings which need to be corrected to ensure the growth of the independent strength of the Party and to be able to advance the struggle for a Left and democratic front. After the discussions, the Central Committee authorized the Polit Bureau to present a revised draft on the lines suggested by the PB for approval in the next meeting of the Central Committee.The next Central Committee meeting in January will also adopt the Draft Political resolution and both these documents will be released for discussions within the Party in the run-up to the 21st Congress.

The pronouncements on Shramev Jayate have to be seen linked with the labour law amendments already moved by government of India and by state governments in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Some more proposals have been announced by government of India, which will amend the definition of small industries removing all establishments with 40 workers out of the purview of 14 very important labour laws. In the name of Shramev Jayate, the Modi government is acting in the interests of investors and not workers. It is also condemnable that changes in labour laws and other moves, which affect the workers, are being implemented without even discussions with the trade unions.

During the nearly two months of the Narendra Modi government, it has become clear that the government will adopt policies for the benefit of big business and international finance capital. The direction of the Union Budget for 2014-15 is to provide concessions to the corporates and the upper classes at the expense of the poorer sections. It is a trajectory for significant privatization of the economy through large-scale sale of public sector shares and greater reliance on public-private partnership. The fiscal deficit will be reined in only by expenditure cuts and squeezing the people further.