National Seminar On Labour Laws in Emerging India [11-12 November 2017; NLU, Dwarka, Delhi]
ABOUT THE ORGANISERS:
The national seminar on Labour Laws in Emerging India is being organised by Centre for Transparency and Accountability in Governance, National Law University Delhi, India in Collaboration with the National Labour Law Association, New Delhi; Friedrich Ebert Foundation, New Delhi.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE:
The developments following the introduction of new economic policies have led to not only large scale outsourcing but also a contraction of regular employees. The restructuring that followed the framework for which the laws were enacted following 1947. The ongoing globalization had, one the one hand increased economic activities with higher returns while on the other hand had caused contractualisation / casualisation of employment relations. The informalization of employment relations has further enlarged the informal economy that is infested with the precarious nature of jobs. The introduction of the capital intensive method of production with segmentation of production line has come to question the very definition of workmen in India. The so called whitecollar workers are engaged in jobs that were earmarked for blue-collar workers. The Corporates, pursuant to globalization and inherent competition, have generally been adopting labour rationalization policies in order to reduce costs and be competitive. They have introduced plans like Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) as well as retrenchment and closures both in the organized and the unorganized sectors. A significant shift has taken place in employment from permanent to temporary, casual and contract employment. This has weakened the collective bargaining machinery. Instances are not lacking where permanent workers in non-core activities are removed and are replaced by contractual workers either through outsourcing to other firms or direct recruitment. Further, some States have exempted several small establishments from the purview of labour inspection. On the other hand, some employers have even offered lower wages to the workforce as a condition for the reopening of closed industries. In the background of nonexisting any form social protection, workmen have accepted such offers. Further, under the WTO regime, labour and economic policies seem to be resulting in the closure or disappearance of many Indian companies, especially, those engaged in consumer goods. The major issue that emerges is how the industrial units which are sick or closed under liquidation, or due to the world wide economic crisis need to be dealt with in India. Particularly the displaced workers. The Conference will also look at the application of various law under the newly introduced GST regime. The goods and services tax that became effective from July 1, 2017, has brought various markets in India under one tax structure. How this will impact the business as also the application of labour laws will form part of this conference.
SUB-THEMES OF THE CONFERENCE:
- Constitutional vs. Legal Rights;
- Labour Rights under globalised environment;
- Indian labour market and Role of Social Partners;
- Trends and Challenges of labour Laws in India;
- Protection of rights of Unorganised Workers/labour;
- Nature of Industrial / Employment Relations in India;
- Globalisation and International labour standards;
- Hard vs. Soft Laws;
- Any other topic connected to the central theme of the Seminar
PATRON:
Professor (Dr) Ranbir Singh, Vice-Chancellor, National Law University Delhi, India.
OUR MENTORS:
- Mr. Patrick Ruethor, Director,Friedrich Ebert Foundation, New Delhi
- Dr. Pravin Sinha, President, National Labour Law Association, New Delhi
- Prof. (Dr) S.C. Srivastava, Former Head & Dean Faculty of Law, KU, Haryana
- Prof. S. Sachidanandam, Professor of Law, National Law University, Delhi
- Prof (Dr) B T Kaul, Chairman, Delhi Judicial Academy, New Delhi
- Prof. (Dr) Kamala Shankaran, Vice Chancellor, TN National Law University, Trichy, TN
CONFERENCE DIRECTOR:
Prof. (Dr) SC Srivastava, Secretary General, National Labour Law Association, New Delhi