The Industrial Relations Bill being moved by the central government is nothing short of surrendering to the demands of the employers to curtail the workers’ rights and privileges. According to the Bill, companies with 300 staff or less can retrench workers without government’s permission. Earlier the number was 100. Most of the small and medium companies will be covered by this condition and workers will be on the roads.
Further, many of the social security measures also will be affected. The threat of retrenchment will weaken the collective bargaining.
This attack on the rights of workers should be fought and defeated.