Cost of modernisation should not be borne by working class: PM

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Apr 27 (UNI) Apparently concerned at the adverse impact of globalisation on certain sections of society, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today argued that the cost of modernisation and change should not be borne unduly by the working class and said the skilled workforce must increase from 5 per cent at present to 50 per cent in the near future.

''To make our working people more employable, we must create adequate infrastructure for skill training and certification and for imparting training,'' Dr Manmohan Singh said in his address to the 41st Indian Labour Conference (ILC).

Dr Manmohan Singh also gave a categorical assurance that the government will work with trade unions and industry to strengthen labour laws to ensure that the twin objectives of employment generation and workers welfare are achieved.

The Prime Minister said the challenge was to ensure that the economy functions at the frontiers of modern science and technology.

This was necessary to remain competitive in an increasingly integrated global economy.

"The experience of counties like China should alert us to the vital role of industrial modernisation and technical change. At the same time, I do believe that the cost of modernisation and change should not be borne unduly by the working class. It is our solemn duty to protect the interests of workers and of all those seeking work even as we manage change. It is, therefore, necesssary to evolve a mechanism to smoothen the process of technological progress,' Dr Manmohan Singh said.

Others who spoke at the inaugural included Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes, Vice- Chairperson of Workers' Group Girish Awasthi and Vice- Chairperson of Employers' Group J P Chowdhury.

Asking industry to share the burden of responsibility, Dr Manmohan Singh said the challenge was to increase the skilled workforce from 5 per cent at present to about 50 per cent, which was the norm in developed countries.

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