Compensation for contract labour stressed

Bhubaneswar: Industries must focus on compensation for contract labour which has become a key player in shaping productivity and growth, CMD of aluminium major NALCO, Tapan Kumar Chand said today.

"Contemporary industrial scenario is marked by emergence of knowledge worker and focus is on contract labour.

The contract labour is no more a minor partner in industrial growth, but has become a key player and way of working in the industry," Chand said at an Industrial Relations conclave.

Compensation for contract labour, conditions of service, skill development and safety must be the subject of focus by the industries since productivity critically depends on productivity of the work force, he said.

Policy makers must take note of the realities and bring in urgent reforms in Contract Labour Regulation and Abolition Act, the NALCO CMD said.

Odisha's Industries Minister Debi Prasad Mishra said the state government has already reduced the time period of approval for industries from 160 days to 20 days and further plan to reduce it to 15 days.

Mishra said besides the platform provided under legislative frame work, there should be focus for industry, government and unions to sort out employees' issues through dialogue and discussions.

Collaboration and co-operation should replace conflict and confrontation, he said.

Peace and stability in industrial relations exists in Odisha and is a critical parameter for investors to choose the state, he added.