Govt to restart dialogue on fixed term employment

New Delhi, Feb 12 (UNI) The Government today said it is willing to initiate a dialogue with industry and trade unions on the vexed 'fixed term employment' withdrawal issue.

Inaugurating the 74th Annual General Meeting of the All India Organisation of Employers (AIOE), Mr Fernandes said ''We are willing to re-start the dialogue with industry along with trade unions to see what needs to be done, how well the concerns of the industry can be addressed on fixed term employment.'' The 'fixed term employment' introduced in the Standing Orders Act, 1946, provided freedom to industry to employ manpower for short term and contingent jobs. This also served as a cushion against hiring contract workers, where there are frequent complaints of exploitation.

Stating that corporate social responsibility reflects ethical issues, when there is no direct law Mr Fernandes said ''It is now for your consideration whether fair practice with regard to labour standards would be voluntarily reported along with financial statements now or we wait for external stimulus from our export markets.'' UNI PBB MP PM2000