1

HIGHLIGHTS OF IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES

INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Ministry of Labour is one of the oldest and important Ministries of the
Government of India. The main responsibility of the Ministry is to protect and
safeguard the interests of workers in general and those who constitute the poor,
deprived and disadvantaged sections of the society, in particular, with due regard to
creating a healthy work environment for higher production and productivity and to
develop and coordinate vocational skill training and employment services.
Government’s attention is also focused on promotion of welfare and providing social
security to the labour force both in organized and unorganized sectors, in tandem
with the process of liberalization. These objectives are sought to be achieved through
enactment and implementation of various labour laws, which regulate the terms and
conditions of service and employment of workers. The State Governments are also
competent to enact legislations, as labour is a subject in the concurrent list under
the Constitution of India.

A number of legislative and executive initiatives have been taken to promote,

protect and preserve health, safety and social security for workers through
observance of the ethos and culture of tripartism. Some of the important initiatives
taken during the year in this regard are highlighted as below: -

SECOND NATIONAL COMMISSION ON LABOUR

1.2 The Report of Second National Commission on Labour (NCL), submitted to the
Government on 29.06.2002, has made wide ranging recommendations on various
facets of labour viz. review of laws, social security, women & child labour, skill
development, labour administration, unorganized sector etc. The Ministry has
already held intensive consultations and interactions with the workers
representatives, employers’ organizations, experts & professionals etc. The Report of
the Commission has been discussed in various fora including the Consultative
Committee Meetings held on 07.02.2003 and 30.04.2003, the Standing Labour
Committee (SLC) Meeting held on 25th July, 2003 and the Indian Labour Conference
(ILC) Meeting held on 16-18 October, 2003.

STRENGTHENING OF TRIPARTISM DURING 2003-04

1.3 The Ministry of Labour has always been striving to promote harmonious
industrial relations in the country. The Government, being committed to the ethos
and culture of tripartism, took measures to revitalize it. The Ministry continues to
have consultation with the social partners to obtain a consensus for enacting new
laws or bringing about changes in the existing laws. The objective of the Ministry is
to knit the views of all the social partners in framing the policy for working class.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Labour held several tripartite meetings of various
Committees / Boards during the year which inter-alia include 39th Session of the
Standing Labour Committee on 25.07.2003, Tripartite Conference on Occupational
Safety & Health on 17.09.2003, Labour & Health Ministers’ Conference on
18.09.2003, 39th Session of Indian Labour Conference on 16-18 October, 2003 and
meeting of the Central Advisory Board under Minimum Wages Act, 1948 held twice
on 19.12.2003 and 13.02.2004.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

1.4 Maintenance of harmonious industrial relations situation remains an avowed

objective of Ministry of Labour. Due to constant endeavour of the Industrial
Relations Machineries, both Central and the State, the overall industrial relations
climate has remained peaceful and cordial, although on year to year basis, both the
number of strikes and lockouts and mandays lost due to them have shown
variations. However, over a period of last ten years i.e. 1994 to 2003 (provisional),
the number of strikes and lockouts has reduced drastically from 1201 to 489 while
the mandays lost due to them have increased marginally from 20.98 million to 21.78
million.

1.5 Similarly, the spatial / industry-wise dispersion of the number of strikes and
lockouts and the workers involved / affected as a result of this is not uniform.
Among States, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat were the most
affected. Among the industry groups, textiles, engineering, chemicals and coal
mining recorded the maximum number of strikes and lockouts.

1.6 With a view to strengthen the existing adjudicating system, five new Central
Government Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Courts have been set up in Delhi,
Ahmedabad, Ernakulam, Guwahati and Chandigarh. This Ministry has also
introduced a system of Lok Adalats, as an alternative dispute redressal mechanism,
in the adjudication system of the CGCT-cum-Labour Courts to reduce the pendency
of industrial disputes. So far 22 Lok Adalats were held and 271 cases settled
therein.

MANISANA WAGE BOARDS

1.7 The Government has accepted the Manisana Wage Board Award for
Journalists and non-Journalists employed in the newspaper industry with some
minor modifications, which significantly improved the wage structure and allowances
of Journalists and non-Journalists employed in the newspaper industry.

1.8 With a view to ensure implementation of the Award, all States and UTs have
specifically been advised to set up Tripartite Committees / Implementation Cells for
speedy and effective implementation of Awards and to furnish progress report on
quarterly basis. Besides, a Central Level Monitoring Committee has also been
constituted under the Chairmanship of Labour & Employment Adviser for reviewing
the implementation of the Awards. It was decided in the meetings that Chief Labour
Commissioner (Central) through his Regional Labour Commissioners (Central) would
liaise with State Governments with regard to effective implementation of the awards.
Involvement of Regional Labour Commissioners (Central) has yielded better results.

INDIAN LABOUR CONFERENCE

1.9 The 39th Session of Indian Labour Conference held on 16-18 October, 2003,
deliberated on following agenda items: -

Report of the Second National Commission on Labour - with emphasis on

rationalization of labour laws and unorganized labour.
Social Security issues pertaining to the EPF and ESIC with special
emphasis on social security needs for the large unorganized sector
workforce.
Employment generation, employment protection and skill sector
upgradation – with special emphasis on the S.P. Gupta Report on
Employment Generation.
1.10 The outcome is summarized as below: -
(i) There was general consensus on skill development, skill upgradation and
training, formulation of an Annual Employment Plan at the National, State
and even District level, re-modeling of Employment Exchanges etc. The need
was felt for creation of an Employment Security Fund for unorganized sector
workers and greater integration of the existing schemes of social security for
the organized sector workers.
(ii) The Indian Labour Conference unanimously recommended the need for
Umbrella Legislation for the Unorganized Sector Workers. Further, it
recommended constitution of a high powered and multi-stakeholder
National Social Security Council to evolve, oversee and coordinate social
security policies and schemes, etc. It also recommended that the State
Governments should play a major role in the implementation of the various
social security schemes.
(iii) In regard to rationalization of labour laws, social partners expressed
divergent views and no consensus could emerge.

VULNERABLE SECTIONS

Child Labour

1.11 India has all along followed a proactive policy in the matter of tackling the
problem of child labour by undertaking constitutional, statutory and developmental
measures that are required for its elimination. Under the National Child Labour
Policy, 100 National Child Labour Projects (NCLPs) are in operation in 13 child
labour endemic States for rehabilitation of about 2.11 lakh working children. A major
activity undertaken under the NCLP is the establishment of special schools to
provide non-formal education, vocational training, supplementary nutrition, stipend,
health care etc. to children withdrawn from employment. So far, 1.87 lakh children
from special schools of NCLPs have been mainstreamed into formal education
system. The target is to eliminate child labour in a sequential manner, beginning
with its elimination from hazardous occupations through a determined and focused
effort and progressively move towards its complete elimination from other
occupations. Besides a large number of NGOs are working for elimination of child
labour under the grant-in-aid scheme.

1.12 Apart from continuing the existing 100 NCLPs during the Tenth Plan,
Government has approved setting up of additional 150 NCLPs, in child labour
endemic districts during the 10th Plan. The expanded scheme in additional 50
districts has already been launched in January, 2004 and states have been asked to
set up NCLPs in these identified 50 Districts. In the remaining 100 Districts, the
scheme would be launched after additional 100 districts are identified on the basis of
the 2001 Census Report which is in process. Government has also launched the
INDO-US (INDUS) Child Labour Project on 16.02.2004 during the visit of Mr. Arnold
Levine, Deputy Under Secretary, US Department of Labour and Mr. Kari Tapiola,
Executive Director, International Labour Organisation to India.

Women Labour

1.13 The Government is committed to improve the working conditions of women

workers. In this direction, guidelines for the prevention of sexual harassment of
women employees in their workplaces have been framed. Simultaneously,
instructions have been issued to the Central Ministries / Departments, State
Governments / UT Administrations and all CPSUs for strict implementation of the
guidelines. The Conduct Rules applicable to the Central government and the All India
Services have since been amended to give effect to these guidelines. The Industrial
Employment (Standing Orders) Central Rules, 1946 have also been amended to make
the guidelines applicable to employees in the private sector.

Bonded Labour

1.14 In order to assist the State Governments in their task of rehabilitation of

released bonded labourers, the Ministry of Labour has been implementing a
Centrally Sponsored Scheme since May, 1978 for rehabilitation of bonded labourers.
Under this Scheme, rehabilitation assistance of Rs.20,000/- per freed bonded labour
is provided which is shared by the Central and State Governments on 50:50 basis.
In case of the seven North Eastern States, 100% Central assistance is provided.
Under the scheme, Central grants are also provided to the State Governments for
conducting district wise survey of bonded labour, awareness generation and
evaluatory studies. The entire amount of Rs.250 lakh has been utilized for
rehabilitation of 2268 bonded labourers during 2003-04.

SOCIAL SECURITY

1.15 The Government has enacted a number of legislations in the area of Social
Security for the workers. The important Acts in this regard are the Workmen’s
Compensation Act, 1923, the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous
Provisions Act, 1952, the Maternity Benefits Act, 1961, the Payment of Gratuity Act,
1972 and the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948. Several initiatives have been
recently taken to accord larger benefits to workers under these Acts as detailed
below: -

The minimum amount of compensation payable under the Workmen’s

Compensation Act, 1923 has been enhanced from Rs.50,000/- to Rs.80,000/-
in case of death and from Rs.60,000/- to Rs.90,000/- in case of permanent
total disablement with effect from 08.12.2000. From the same date, the
ceiling of the maximum amount of compensation has been doubled from
Rs.2.28 lakh to Rs.4.56 lakh in case of death and from Rs.2.74 lakh to
Rs.5.48 lakh in case of permanent total disablement.

Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)

1.16 The Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952
provides for compulsory provident fund, pension and deposit linked insurance in
factories / establishments employing 20 or more employees in scheduled industries,
which is implemented through offices of Employees Provident Fund Organisation.
The achievements are as under:

• The coverage of benefits of PF, family pension and deposit linked insurance
increased from 2.31 crore subscribers as on 31.03.1998 to nearly 3.95 crore
subscribers as on 31.03.2003.
• A nationally unique Social Security Number for each worker would be
provided. The scheme was launched by way of a Reinventing – EPF India
programme on 25.02.2003 so as to reduce claim settlement from 30 days to 2-
3 days only.
• A new Directorate of recovery has been approved to step up recovery of EPF
dues.
 • Additional facilities of disbursement of pension through 26000 post offices has
been introduced so as to benefit the workers who after retirement go back to
their native placed located in rural and far flung areas.

Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)

1.17 To provide for health care and cash benefits in the case of sickness, maternity
and employment injuries, the Employees State Insurance Act was enacted in 1948.
The Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is implementing the ESI Scheme
introduced in 1952. The achievements are as under:

• ESI Scheme has a network of 142 Hospitals, 43 Annexes and 1452

Dispensaries, 2900 clinics and 840 local offices covering 3.12 crore
beneficiaries.
• One ESI Hospital each in 16 major States would be upgraded as a Model
Hospital with Budget outlay of Rs.150 crore.
• The wage ceiling for coverage under ESI Scheme has been increased from
Rs.6500/- to Rs.7500/- per month with effect from 01.04.2004.
• A revolving fund of Rs.40 crore has been created for super-specialty treatment.
• Over 6 lakh low paid workers drawing wages upto Rs.40/- per day has been
exempted from contribution to the ESI Scheme.
• Four more long-term diseases have been added in the list of 29 chronic
diseases for entitlement.
• Ceiling of medical benefits to each insured person has been increased from
Rs.600/- to Rs.700/- per annum.
• Maternity benefit increased from Rs.250/- to Rs.1000/-.
• Ceiling for commutation of partial disablement benefit raised from
Rs.10,000/- to Rs.30,000/-.

WELFARE OF WORKERS IN UNORGANISED SECTOR

1.18 As a major policy decision, the Ministry has decided to provide social security
benefits to the workers in the unorganized sector who constitute around 92% of over
400 million strong workforce in the country. To begin with, the Government has
introduced the Social Security Scheme for the unorganized sector workers on a pilot
basis in 50 districts of the country, which was launched on 23.01.2004. The funding
pattern, benefit and institutions involved are summarized below: -

The Social Security Scheme will cover all the workers in the unorganized
sector drawing pay/wages/income not more than Rs.6500/- per month. The
scheme will be financed by the contributions from workers at the rates of
Rs.50/- per month in the age group of 18-35 years and Rs.100/- per month in
the age group of 36-50. The contribution from the employers, wherever
identifiable, will be Rs.100/- per month per worker and Government
contribution will be @ 1.16% of the monthly wages of the worker.

The scheme provides triple benefits to the workers i.e.: -

(i) A flat rate registered pension of Rs.500/- per month on retirement at

the age of 60 years and total disablement and family pension in case of
death of the worker.

(ii) A personal accident insurance cover for rupees one lakh; and
 (iii) Convergence of the Universal Health Insurance Scheme for a worker
and his family at the cost of Rs.548/- per annum for a family of five
members or Rs.365/- per annum for a family of three members.

The coverage, compliance, registration, record keeping and the benefit delivery
will be handled by the EPFO using available market intermediaries like
workers facilitation centres, facilitators like Panchayati Raj Institutions, NGOs,
Self Help Groups, branches of the designated Banks and Post Offices.

Minimum Wages

1.19 On the basis of recommendations of Central Advisory Board in its meeting

held on 19.12.2003, the national minimum wage has been raised from Rs.50/- to
Rs.66/- per day with effect from 01.02.2004. All the State Governments and Union
Territories have been asked to ensure that the minimum wages in any of the
scheduled employments is not below Rs.66/- per day under their jurisdictions.

LABOUR WELFARE FUNDS

1.20 The Ministry took several measures to further improve the Welfare schemes
formulated for beedi, non-coal mine and cine workers. The thrust of the welfare
schemes is in the health sector as target groups are involved in health hazardous
occupations. The eligibility ceiling limit has been revised from Rs.6500/- p.m. to
Rs.10,000/-p.m. w.e.f. 26.2.2001 for Limestone & Dolomite Mines Workers, from
Rs.3500/- to Rs.10,000/-p.m. during April, 2003 for beedi workers and from
Rs.1600/- to Rs.8000/- w.e.f. 02.09.2002 for cine workers so as extend benefits
under various welfare schemes excepting housing scheme. The corpus of Beedi
Workers’ Welfare Fund has been increased from Rs.21 crore to Rs.40 crore to
undertake more welfare activities.

WELFARE FUND FOR OVERSEAS INDIAN WORKERS

1.21 A Bill for setting up a Central Manpower Export Promotion Council and the
Indian Overseas Workers’ Welfare Fund by amending the Emigration Act, 1983, in
order to protect and safeguard the interests of Indian workers going abroad for
employment on contractual basis, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 21.11.2002.
The Hon’ble Prime Minister on the occasion of the first “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas”
held on 9.1.2003 announced the compulsory Insurance Scheme for the emigrants
going abroad for employment. In pursuance of this announcement, a compulsory
Insurance Scheme known as “Pravasi Bharitya Bima Yojana 2003” has been notified
on 13.11.2003. This scheme has come into force w.e.f. 25.12.2003.

AMENDMENT IN LABOUR LAWS

1.22 Review / updation of labour laws is a continuous process in order to bring

them in tune with the prevailing situation and emerging needs of the economy.
Reforms in labour laws in recent years have been necessitated with a view to make
Indian industry efficient, cost effective and internationally competitive in the face of
globalisation process. The Ministry has initiated steps to amend certain labour laws.
The results achieved during the year in the area of labour reforms are: -
The Factories Act, 1948

1.23 The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2003 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on
29.07.2003. The Bill propose to amend Section 66 of the Factories Act, 1948 so as to
provide flexibility in the matter of employment of women during night with adequate
safeguards for their safety, dignity, honour and transportation from the factory
premises to the nearest point of their residence. The Bill was referred to the
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour and Welfare on 27.8.2003 for
examination and report. The Committee has finalized its report and laid it on the
Table of the Parliament on 24.12.2003. The recommendations of the Committee are
under examination.

The Emigration Act, 1983

1.24 With a view to enabling the Central Government to constitute a Central

Manpower Export Promotion Council and for setting up of an Indian Overseas
Workers’ Welfare Fund, the Emigration Amendment Bill, 2003 was introduced in the
Lok Sabha on 21.11.2002. The Bill has been referred to the Standing Committee of
Parliament on Labour for examination and report. The Committee has finalized its
report and laid it on the Table of the Parliament on 16.12.2003. The
recommendations of the Committee are under examination.

The Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970

1.25 With a view to facilitate the outsourcing of certain activities of an

establishment and at the same time to protect the interests of contract labour in
terms of wages, social security, welfare, health and safety, consequent to Court
judgments and feedback received from social partners, a proposal was prepared by
the Ministry of Labour for enacting a new law on Contract Labour.

1.26 The Hon’ble Prime Minister constituted a Group of Ministers (GOM) to

examine these proposals before the same is brought before the Cabinet. The Ministry
of Law & Justice (Legislative Department) has been requested to draft the
amendment proposals, which would be placed before the Group of Ministers for its
finalization.

The Payment of Wages Act, 1936

1.27 The amendment bill to remove ambiguities and to enhance the wage ceiling in
the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 was introduced in Rajya Sabha on 16.05.2002,
which was referred to the Department Related Standing Committee of Parliament on
Labour and Welfare. The Standing Committee has finalized its report and laid it on
the Table of the Parliament on 21.11.2002. The recommendations of the Committee
have been accepted with a minor modification and the observations of the Ministry of
Law and Justice have been obtained. A proposal to introduce an official amendment
in the Bill is being submitted for consideration of the Cabinet.

Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintenance of Registers

by Certain Establishments) Act, 1988

1.28 The Central Government is proposing to bring the amendment in the Labour
Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintenance of Registers by Certain
Establishments) Act, 1988 to simplify the forms of returns and registers prescribed
in various labour laws in the enterprises employing upto 500 persons. Under the
proposal, only one annual report is required to be submitted and only two registers
would be maintained at the work spot. It also provides for maintenance of registers
on computer and furnishing of the annual return through e-mail.

AWARDS

1.29 The Hon’ble Prime Minister distributed the Prime Minister’s Shram Awards on
25.4.2003 for the year 2001 to 37 workers including 1 woman. The awards for the
years 2002 & 2003 were announced on 25th January, 2003 and 14th Aug, 2003,
respectively. The number of awards has also been increased to 33 from the present
17. Further, an award of Shram Veerangana has also been introduced alongwith
Shram Vir. These are given in recognition of contributions towards production &
productivity, technological innovation, cost saving, import substitution, savings of
foreign exchange as also for showing exemplary zeal and enthusiasm in the discharge
of duties.

1.30 From the year 2004, the private sector units employing more than 500
workers will also be brought within the ambit of the Prime Minister’s Shram Awards.

1.31 Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar (VRPs) and National Safety Awards for the
years 2001 and 2002 were distributed by the Union Labour Minister on 17th
September, 2003 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. In all, 18 awards each under three
classes were given to 38 and 58 winners for the year 2001 and 2002 respectively.

1.32 Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar are given in recognition of outstanding

suggestions given by a worker or group of workers and implemented by the
management during the previous calendar year resulting in improvement in
productivity and working conditions such as safety, health and environmental
conservation in industrial undertakings due to operation of the “Suggestion
Schemes”.

1.33 The National Safety Awards (NSA) are given in recognition of safety
performance on the part of industrial undertakings and ports to stimulate and
maintain the interest of both the management and the workers in accident
prevention programme. These awards are given under six schemes for factories and
two schemes for ports. Total 73 awards for the year 2001 and 74 awards for the year
2002 were given under the scheme.

LABOUR STATISTICS, RESEARCH, TRAINING AND EDUCATION

LABOUR STATISTICS

1.34 The importance of accurate, timely and detailed statistics and research
relating to various aspects of labour activities for taking policy decisions need not be
over-emphasized. The Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers which
determines the dearness allowance of workers, government employees etc. is
presently being compiled with a two-decade old base 1982. To update the base year,
main survey for collection of income and expenditure data from all the 78 selected
centers, tabulation of data has been completed and fieldwork for Repeat House Rent
Survey is in progress. The new series is expected to be available by mid 2004.

1.35 Labour Bureau’s Website http://www.labourbureau.nic.in and Software

system has been developed and is being updated regularly. A central training
programme on Labour Statistics is being organized every year.
RESEARCH & TRAINING

1.36 V.V. Giri National Labour Institute completed 13 research projects in the areas
of labour market, employment & regulations, agrarian relations & rural labour,
integrated labour history, child labour and prevention of HIV/AIDS in the work place.
As many as 32 projects are under various stages of progress. The Institute also
organised 95 training programmes covering 2523 participants. Besides 3 regular
publications, the Institute also brought out occasional publications on research
studies. One international training programmes under International Technology and
Economic Co-operation (ITEC) / Special Commonwealth African Assistance Plan
(SCAAP) programmes are also being organised during the current year.

EDUCATION

1.37 The Central Board for Workers Education has conducted 8538 programmes
and trained 265106 participants during April, 2003 to February, 2004 at national,
regional and unit level on various topics ranging from personality development,
industrial health, safety & environment to industrial relations, trade unionism and
labour welfare development. Special programmes / seminars were also held for
unorganized and rural workers, child labour, women and SC/ST workers.

TENTH PLAN OUTLAY

1.38 The Ministry has drawn an ambitious plan for the welfare and development of
Labour during the Tenth Plan. Special emphasis would be laid for elimination of
child labour, welfare of unorganised sector workers, skill upgradation and
strengthening of labour statistics & research.

1.39 Earlier a zero-based budgeting exercise was carried out during 2001-2002. As
an outcome of this exercise, the number of on-going plan schemes were reduced from
142 to 101 during 2001-2002. The number after rationalization is around 94 in
2003-2004 and 73 during 2004 - 2005 including those schemes, which were earlier,
proposed for transfer from Plan to Non-plan. The total outlay of the Ministry during
the 10th Plan has been placed at Rs.1500 crore, which is 90% higher, compared to
Rs.792 crore in the 9th Plan. Rs.181 crore has been earmarked for the Ministry of
Labour during 2004-05 as against Rs.170 crores during 2003-04.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

1.40 The 91st Session of the International Labour Conference of the International
Labour Organisation (ILO) was held at Geneva from 3-19 June, 2003. An Indian
Tripartite Delegation to the International Labour Conference consisting of
Government officials, Representatives of Workers and Employers led by Union
Labour Minister, Dr. Sahib Singh, accompanied by the then Minister of State for
Labour, Shri Santosh Gangwar, attended and participated in the Conference.

1.41 The discussions in the Plenary Sessions as well as in the Technical

Committees centered around various issues like Global Report under the follow-up to
the ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, Revision of the
Human Resources Development Recommendations, 1975 (No.150), Scope of the
Employment Relationship, Standards-Related Activities in the Area of Occupational
Safety and Health and Improved Security of Seafarers’ Identification.
1.42 The Ministry of Labour suggested for setting up of an International Skill
Development Fund under the umbrella of the ILO as an essential element of the
strategy to eliminate poverty so as to help poor countries to venture into large-scale
skills training activities and improve their competitiveness. The Global Report of the
year was on the subject ‘Time for Equality at Work’. While pointing out the work
place being an entry point to eliminate discrimination and a strong co-relation
between poverty and discrimination, India asserted the importance to adopt a viable
poverty reduction strategy to attach the vicious circle of poverty and the multiple
facets of discrimination. It was also stressed that there was need for free movement
of labour across national boundaries and reiterated that the ILO must press for
greater liberalization of such a movement as an essential component of globalization
and market access in the area of services.

1.43 India took over from the Republic of Korea, the Coordinatorship of the Asia-
Pacific Group .Its main agenda was to nominate unanimously a government delegate
of a country for Chairmanship of the Governing Body (June, 2003-June, 2004) and a
consensus was reached in favour of Republic of Korea after concerted efforts made by
Dr. P.D. Shenoy, Union Labour Secretary as a Coordinator of this Group. The 287th
Session of the Governing Body of the ILO was also held for one-day on 20.06.2003
immediately after the close of the Conference. His Excellency, Mr. Eui-Yong Chug,
Ambassador of Republic of Korea was unanimously elected as Chairperson of the
Governing Body of the ILO for the year 2003 to June, 2004.

1.44 The 288th Session of the Governing Body was held from 6-21 November,
2003.

EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING

1.45 Liberalization and globalization have changed the economic scenario and
demand in the labour market. The high quality skilled workforce has gained
prominence as there is greater emphasis on increase in productivity, which has a
direct bearing on the skill available with the labour force. Investment in skill
development and training by all the stakeholders and modernization of training
system are important so as to equip the labour force with employable skill.

1.46 The Government has accorded high priority to the creation of a skilled labour
force as well as skill upgradation in the country to avail the advantages of
globalization. Accordingly, 9 obsolete trades were deleted, 43 new trades introduced
and curriculum of 42 trades revised in the Craftsman’s Training.

1.47 By way of low cost solution to improve the functioning of DGE&T during 2003-
04, the intake capacity of trainees increased from the targeted level of 13530 to
16949, which represents an increase of 25.24%. Further, a target of training 21984,
23678 and 27060 trainees has been fixed for the years 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-
06 respectively which would result in doubling the capacity in four years without
creating any infrastructure or new posts. The expansion has been possible by
starting additional short-term courses, running classes on Saturdays, engaging some
guest facilities etc.

1.48 The thrust of these initiatives is to make available the skilled workforce to
meet the target of ten crore new employment opportunities during the next ten years.
These employment opportunities would help in increasing the productivity as well as
income level of the working population.
1.49 The Employment Services to unemployed youth of the country is provided
through 943 Employment Exchanges (including 42 Special Employment Exchanges
for Handicapped), 17 Vocational Rehabilitation Centres for handicapped and 22
coaching-cum-Guidance Centres for Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes. Besides
sponsoring the candidates for considering their selection against the vacancies
notified, the other important role played by the Employment Exchanges is to
motivate and guide the youth for self-employment.

MISCELLANEOUS

• During the month of August, 2003 “VAN MAHOTSAVA PAKHWADA” was

celebrated. Mass planting of tree sapling in the compounds of the building of
the Ministry of Labour and those owned by the offices under the
administrative control of the Ministry of Labour was undertaken . The reports
from different regions have been received that Van Mahotsava Pakhwada was
celebrated with great enthusiasm and a good number of plants were planted.
The celebration of the occasion also found place in print media throughout the
country.

• September, 2003 was observed as “Hindi Month” to promote the use of Hindi
in the Ministry. On this occasion, competition and debates were conducted
and awards were given to number of parcipants.

• With a view to create awareness of “Yoga” among the Employees in the

Ministry, a noble programme to provide Yoga Training to the employees of the
Ministry of Labour was introduced w.e.f. 29.10.2003. A trained guide from
Maharishi Bhagwati Yoga Dhyan Kendra Noida, Ghaziabad provides
techequines of Yoga and other related matters to the employees between 1.00
P.M. to 2.00 P.M. As per response received from the beneficiaries, the noble
scheme is very helpful to refresh and boost the inner energy of the individuals.

*******
Industrial Relations

There was improvement in the industrial Relations Scenario during the year 2002.
The total number of strikes and lockouts declined by 20.7% and 6% respectively in
2002, while workers affected due to these disturbances increased by 56.8%.
However, in 2003 (January-September), the number of strikes and lockouts has
recorded a substantial increase of 46.8% respectively in comparison to the same
period of last year.

1.5 The spatial / industry-wise dispersion of the number of strikes and lockouts
and the workers involved / affected as a result of this is not uniform. Among States,
West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat were the most affected.
Among the industry groups, textiles, engineering, chemicals and coal mining
recorded the maximum number of strikes and lockouts.

1.6 Man-days lost is a direct measure of the impact of industrial unrest. At the
aggregate level, man-days lost due to strikes and lockouts increased by 11.82% in
2002 as compared to the previous period. During 2003 (upto September), the
mandays lost due to strikes and lockouts were 21.67 million. Of this, lockouts
accounted for 90% of the total mandays lost.

1.7 With a view to strengthen the existing adjudicating system, five new Central
Government Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Courts have been set up in Delhi,
Ahmedabad, Ernakulam, Guwahati and Chandigarh. This Ministry has also
introduced a system of Lok-Adalats as an alternative dispute redressal mechanism in
the adjudication system of the CGIT-cum-Labour Courts to reddress the problem of
the pendency of industrial disputes. So far 22 Lok Adalats were held and 271 cases
settled therein.