Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the future needs flexible working hours and workplaces as well as a work-from-home ecosystem, even as he stressed that the country must remain aware of emerging dimensions of work and “change as per changing scenario”.
The PM further said that encouraging systems like flexible workplaces and work-from-home will also boost opportunities for women and increase their participation in the country’s labour force.
Sating that the country’s Labour Ministry is preparing its vision for the year 2047 in ‘Amrit Kaal’, Modi said, India needs to take full advantage of the fourth industrial revolution by taking quick decisions and implementing them rapidly.
In the light of platform and gig economy and online facilities, the Prime Minister stressed the need to be alive towards the emerging dimensions of work. “Right policies and efforts in this area will help in making India a global leader.”
Addressed the National Conference of Labour Ministers of all States and Union Territories via video conferencing on Thursday, the PM said that in the last eight years, the government has taken the initiative to abolish the laws from the period of slavery that reflect the slavery mentality.
“The country is now changing, reforming, simplifying such labour laws,” the Prime Minister said. With this in mind, 29 labour laws have been converted into 4 simple labour codes, he said adding that “this will ensure the empowerment of workers via minimum wages, job security, social security and health security.”
The Prime Minister reiterated the various efforts by the government like Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana that have given a kind of security cover to the workers. These schemes have assured the labourers of the recognition of their hard work and contribution, he said.
Modi said, “The Emergency Credit Guarantee Scheme, according to a study, saved 1.5 crore jobs during the pandemic.” He continued, “We are seeing that just as the country supported its workers in their time of need, in the same way, the workers have put their full strength into recovering from this epidemic.”
The Prime Minister said that today India has once again become the fastest growing economy in the world, so a lot of credit goes to our workers.
Recalling his 15th August address, the PM said that he has called for the full participation of the nation’s women power. He added, “By making the right use of women power, India can achieve its goals faster.” He also emphasised the need to think in the direction of what can be done for women in the newly emerging sectors in the country.
