Labour Commission's study group for redefining work

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 11. What support can the State and society give to the Indian woman worker? How can her burden be lightened, productivity increased, livelihood enhanced, skills upgraded and her basic needs be looked after? How can her voice be heard when policies are framed, that would suit her conditions? In other words, how can she be organised?

The answer lies in ``redefining work'' to include a person's contribution to the Gross National Product and by ``making employment the centre of all economic policies in the context of globalisation''. These were some of the major recommendations of a study group on ``women and child labour'' constituted by the second National Commission on Labour (NCL).

The group headed by noted activist, Ms. Renana Jhabvala of SEWA, was the first to submit its recommendations to the commission chairman, Mr. Ravindra Varma, here on Wednesday. The commission had set up six study groups and based on their reports, a final list of recommendation will be submitted to the Government by February next year.

The Union Cabinet, had on Tuesday, approved the extension of the term of the commission, set up in October 1999, by four months. Mr. Varma expressed confidence that the commission will be able to submit its recommendations - on rationalising the existing labour laws in the organised sector and suggesting an umbrella legislation for ensuring a minimum level of protection to workers in the unorganised sector - within the given timeframe.

The six groups were directed to focus their study on `review of laws', `globalisation and its impact', `social security', `skill development, training and workers' education', `legislation for unorganised workers' and `women and child labour'.

Sharing her group's recommendations at a press conference, Ms. Jhabvala said that a large portion of women's work remained ``under or non-numerated'' and therefore the new definition should take into account the entire range of work that women workers perform to contribute to the economy.

In the backdrop of globalisation and its impact on the economy, Ms. Jhabvala stressed the need for skill training and upgradation and introducing women to modern technologies.

The report had also sought an amendment in labour laws to make them ``positive'' for women workers and for workers in the unorganised sector. This was important, because 97 per cent of the women workers were employed in the unorganised sector, and 40 per cent of the workers in the sector were women.

Measures to ensure social security, including child care, maternity benefits and insurance cover for women in the unorganised sector, were some of the recommendations forwarded by the group. Mr. Varma, who was also present at the briefing, however, said that ``the group's report cannot be regarded as final''.

Ms. Jhabvala is also a member of the study group on social sector which is expected to submit its report next week. The other four groups are likely to submit their reports within a month. Mr. Varma clarified that ``logistical problems''had led to a ``delayed start'' in the functioning of the commission as a result of which it's term had to be extended.

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