Opposition must not stall Parliament: Dattatreya

Hyderabad, Feb 22: Noting that as many as 14 Bills concerning the Labour Ministry are pending before Parliament, Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya on Monday, Feb 22 said the Opposition parties should let the Parliament function smoothly in national interest.

Some of the important Bills include comprehensive amendments of Factories Act, participation of workers in management, Child Labour Amendment Act, Mines Amendment Bill and Bills concerning inter-state migrant workers, building and other construction workers, Dattatreya, Minister of State (independent charge) said.

"Minimum Wage Act is there. Workers need minimum wage, all over the country. But labour is in concurrent list. At the national level, national floor level minimum wage is there. It is only recommendatory. Once, it will be an Act in Parliament. Equal and minimum wage is to be given for workers wherever they are in the country," he said.

National minimum wage, when come into force, would bring light in the lives of workers, he said. Trade unions have also shown enthusiasm on the minimum wages.

He said he got the bonus amendment act passed in Parliament earlier though there were disturbances. The government is trying to get 44 Acts simplified into four codes (wages, industrial relations, safety, social security), he said.

The Opposition parties have every right to spread their ideology, but they should not stall Parliament, Dattatreya said.

Congress, which had been in power for almost 60 years, has a bigger responsibility to let the Parliament function, he said.

"Mainly, Congress is acting in a narrow-minded way. It is not fair. Congress says it has made made sacrifices for the country. It is a party that ruled for 60 years. Left also needs to re-think. They should not go on the path of Congress. They should think of national interest. Whatever is your ideology. Government is different and party is different. Congress and Left need to take note of that," he added.

PTI