Haryana Labour Minister for amending Factories Act

Chandigarh, Jun 8 (UNI) Haryana Labour and Employment Minister Birender Singh today stressed the need for amending the Factories Act, 1948 to make the role of Labour Welfare Officers more relevant in the fast changing industrial scenario.

The Minister expressed these views while addressing the Haryana State Labour Welfare Officers' Meet here today organised by the Haryana Labour Department in collaboration with Haryana Safety Council.

Mr Birender Singh suggested that more freedom should be provided in the discharge of duties by the Labour Welfare Officers by ensuring that their salary was borne by Labour Welfare Board and not by the employer.

He pointed out that the Labour Welfare Officer acted as a bridge between the labour and the management and therefore, should be able to work without any pressure so as to make impartial decisions and ensure smooth functioning of the concerned factory or organisation alongwith the welfare of the labour.

He suggested that the selection of the officer be made either by the factory owner or the government.

For further strengthening of the position of Labour Welfare Officer, he said the Factories Act, 1948 should be empowered with certain legislation under which some decisions can be taken by the Welfare Officer on the spot, which would be in the shape of a directive to either the labour or the management.

UNI