LS passes Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Bill

New Delhi, Nov 27 (UNI) The Lok Sabha today passed by voice vote a Bill, seeking to enhance the eligibility limit for payment of bonus from Rs 3,500 to Rs 10,000 and the calculation ceiling from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500 and also bring construction workers under the ambit of the Bonus Act.

The Bill is to replace the Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Ordinance, promulgated by the President on October 27, 2007.

Replying to the debate on the Bill, Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes said the 2nd Labour Commission had recommended the eligibility limit of Rs 7,500, but the Government raised it to Rs 10,000 keeping in view the rising prices during the period.

Responding to the suggestions of members to bring unorganised workers within the ambit of the Act, he said a mechanism should be worked out so that such workers also get bonus.

Earlier, members, cutting across party lines, demanded inclusion of unorganised workers in the Act, and raising the bonus ceiling from 8.33 per cent to 12 per cent.

Mr Braja Kishore Tripathy (BJD) even demanded bringing mediapersons within the Bonus Act.

Among those who spoke on the Bill were Mr Haribhau Rathod (BJP) Singh Rathore, Prof M Ramadass (PMK), Mr K Subbarayan (CPI), Mr C Kuppusamy (DMK), Mr K S Manoj (CPM), Mr P Rajendran (CPM) and Mr A Ravichandran (MDMK).

UNI