New Delhi: The Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government may table two labour law amendment Bills in the Parliament today. These include Apprenticeship Act 1961 and Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) Act 1988.
The Union Cabinet had given clearance to amendments made to these two labour laws along with Factories Act 1947 on 30 June.
On July 30, the Union Cabinet had cleared 54 amendments to the archaic Factories' Act, 1948; changes to the Apprenticeship Act, 1961 and the Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) Act, 1988.
Amendments to the Apprenticeship Act are expected to help the government fulfil its vision of implementing Skill India as 500 new trades, including IT-enabled services, would be included in the scheme, allowing more employers to participate in training and employment of such workers.
Significantly, a draconian provision that called for arrest and imprisonment of employers who did not implement the Apprenticeship Act has been dropped.
The labour ministry has already signalled its intent towards a more business-friendly regime through the notification of a more flexible working system for oil rig workers earlier this month.
