Three labour code bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha today as opposition protests over farm bills raged outside parliament.
Both houses of parliament will adjourn indefinitely today in view of the coronavirus outbreak, which has hit more than 25 parliamentarians till now.
The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, the Industrial Relations Code 2020 and the Code on Social Security, 2020 were passed in Rajya Sabha today. The bills were passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday and now needs President Ram Nath Kovind’s signature.
Introducing the laws in the upper house, junior labour minister Santosh Gangwar said, they will give a “safe environment” to workers. “Social security benefits have also been added. This will be in sync with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve for a universal social security,” he added.
The government claims that bills will bring in reforms to ensure easier compliance with labour standards worldwide. This will encourage investments. Under the laws, social security benefits have been extended to more inter-state migrant workers.
The opposition contends that the bills ease lay-off norms, put restrictions on workers going on strike.
The bills also extend social security funds only to workers for app-based firms like Uber, Ola, Swiggy and Zomato.
Over 29 labour laws were merged into four codes and one of them, the Code on Wages Bill, 2019, has already been passed.
