Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on April 24 evening announced his government’s decision to put on hold further action on the Factories (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2023, which sought to provide flexibility in increasing working hours beyond eight-hour shifts in factories.
The announcement came a few hours after representatives of trade unions including the DMK-affiliated LPF, opposed the amendment during official talks with Public Works Department (PWD) Minister E.V. Velu; Micro, Small and Medium Industries Minister T.M. Anbarasan; and Labour Welfare Minister C.V. Ganesan at the Secretariat.
Besides, leaders of the DMK’s fraternal parties including Dravidar Kazhagam, Congress, MDMK, CPI (M), CPI, VCK, Muslim League, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi and Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi, in a joint memorandum addressed to Mr. Stalin appealed to him to give up the “anti-labour” amendment.
“Further action on the Factories (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2023, which was adopted in the Assembly is put on hold based on the views expressed by representatives of trade unions,” the Chief Minister said in an official release.
He said the Bill was enacted with a view to attract huge investments and to increase employment opportunities to youth, especially in South and Northern districts of Tamil Nadu.
Also read: T.N. Bill seeks to exempt factories from working hour norms
“Though there are provisions that safeguard the interests of workers, ministers held talks with trade union leaders after they expressed their stand on the Bill. They explained the provisions in the Act that provide for a conducive work environment and transport facility and that only some specific industries would be allowed to implement the Act with conditions and rules. The Ministers also made it clear that no compromise would be made on the interest of workers,” the Chief Minister said.
Later the leaders of the DMK fraternal parties met Mr. Stalin to thank him for his decision.
Reiterating that a peaceful industrial climate could be achieved only by protecting the interests of workers, Mr. Stalin said whenever the DMK was in power it had protected the rights and interests of workers.
He also recalled various measures and schemes of the DMK government including the declaration of a holiday with pay on May Day, the ordinance to ensure fair wages for agricultural, minimum wages for workers of beedi, oil mills, tanneries, knitting factories, brick kilns and salt farms and renaming of Neppiar Park as May Day Park.
Also read: Trade unions in T.N. oppose Bill increasing work hours, plan to go on strike on May 12
The Chief Minister said the government, following the footsteps of Periyar, Anna and Kalaiganar would show real commitment when introducing a Bill. “It will show a similar commitment to respect and consider different views from people,” he added.
Earlier in the day, the joint committee of all trade unions comprising CITU, AITUC, INTUC and the LPF had warned of going on a strike on May 12 to oppose the amendment.
The Anna Thozhirsanga Sanga Peravai of the AIADMK also opposed it.
