Representatives of the Central Trade Unions; AICCTU, AITUC, CITU, HMS, TUCC, UTUC and UTUC-LS greeted the newly appointed Minister for Labour and Employment, Sis Ram Ola, on May 26, 2004.

 

A consensual memorandum of demands was presented to the minister, which laid out a labour programme for the government to embark upon. The memorandum contains the eight point demands jointly formulated by the Central Trade Unions, Independent Unions and Federations of the country, over the years. It focused on Labour Rights, Policy Issues, Tripartism, Labour Legislation and Social Security.

 

The Labour Minister received them well and issues of the Employees Provident Fund, Industrial Tripartite committee and the unorganised sector workers came up for discussion. Regarding restoration of 12 per cent rate of interest on EPF the labour minister said that it was a matter that also concerns the Finance Ministry, which should also be approached on it. While all other matters laid down in the memorandum would be looked into.

 

 Given below is a copy of the memorandum signed by the Central Trade Unions presented to Labour Minister, Sis Ram Ola.