The Center is to implement the labor codes one by one, segment-wise or in a phased manner for the overall improvement of the employment scenario and the economic condition of the country, rather than not going ahead with it at all, irrespective of the timing of implementation. Hardly a limit. Three days away, the Indian Staffing Federation (ISF), is an apex body of organized staffing companies in the country.
While the Centre’s newly introduced labor code (a set of four) is expected to come into effect from July 1, the ISF observed that there has been no ‘no further agitation’ from the government side so far.
“Our appeal to the central government is to implement labor codes one by one or section-wise, instead of not running at all. ISF President Lohit Bhatia said, the roll-out of the code in a phased manner would be a start and pave the way for introducing more codes and sections.
According to Shri Bhatia, the need of the hour for the country is economic development and employment generation for its citizens. Both can be done through formality of employment.
“There is a need to create new jobs for attracting foreign investment into the country and for the much-needed economic revival of the country,” he said. Therefore, implementation of labor codes is important, though it may not be possible to implement all the four labor codes simultaneously.
The ISF representative further said, the federation’s request to the government was also to seek consensus from the stakeholders, as was done in the days of implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act.
“Before implementing these codes, the Center should step in and take the initiative, in consultation with the states, to ensure that all stakeholders are on the same page,” Mr Bhatia said.
In addition, the implementation of labor codes will also boost labor safety and labor productivity. The ISF spokesperson further said that multinational companies are making formal employment non-negotiable, which will also increase the flow of foreign investment into the country.