Shri T. P, Ramakrishnan, Hon'ble Minister for Labour,
Shri Elamaram Karim, Member of Parliament,
Shri A. Pradeep Kumar, Member of Legislative Assembly,
Shri V. Sivan Kutty, Chairman, Kerala Institute of Labour and Employment,
Shri P.K. Anil Kumar, Executive Council Member, KILE
Smt M. Shajeena, Executive Director, KILE
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.
I am very happy to inaugurate the concluding function of the 40th Anniversary Celebrations of Kerala Institute of Labour Employment [KILE].
Let me begin by complimenting every member, past and present of the Institute for their dedicated efforts during the last four decades. Established in 1978, this Institute has been creating awareness among the working sections in Kerala and equipping them to deal with their working life through training, research and publication.
The story of how this Institute started functioning in April 1978 as a registered society and its steady development over the years is well known. It is gratifying to know that it has now reached to the level of aspiring to gain the stature of a National Institution. I hope this dream will be realized soon.
As we all know, the economic reforms in the last two and a half decades have brought far-reaching changes in the industrial and employment scenario all over India. The working class of Kerala have now come to terms with some of those changes, but there are some challenges that still remain. This calls for action on the part of the Government to equip the working population to cope with the changed economic scenario and to ensure a cordial industrial relations climate. Moreover, we need to cultivate a new work culture among the three partners of industrial relations – the Government, the workers and the management for which, this autonomous Institute has been actively working.
The working population in Kerala is perhaps one that is most aware of workers' rights. As a result, we have at least 17 Welfare Boards for different categories of workers. A recent legislation, allowing sales personnel to sit during working hours is an example of how Kerala society and Government respond to the rights of workers in their workplace. Kerala has also responded very positively to the large inflow of workers from other States, especially the North Eastern States. In fact, we have shown a model to the entire country by calling them as Guest workers and devising welfare programmes in areas as varied as literacy, housing, health, insurance etc. The implementation of minimum wages in most of the areas of work is another achievement of Kerala.
Besides, Kerala's workers are spread out all over the world and Kerala's labour market displays socio-economic characteristics which are different from the all India pattern. Here, we have an excess of educated manpower, but our employment generation is not at par with the size of the manpower. The rates of urban and rural unemployment is also very high in our State. And, since our people are not willing to work for lower wages, they prefer to migrate to other countries where they can earn more. This situation necessitates the shift towards a skill oriented education. It also calls for the creation of awareness about the work atmosphere and rules in many different professions of other nations also.
I understand that the Kerala Institute of Labour and Employment has been regularly conducting training programmes on a variety of topics like Networking of Trade union leaders, Computers, filing Tax Returns, Road Safety and so on. I have also observed that it has encouraged research on problems of workers in Cashew and Construction, issues of Street Vendors, Tea and Plantation workers etc. We need to use research findings to formulate new welfare measures for emerging areas of work.
However, our Labour rules and guidelines tend to apply strongly in traditional areas of work and seem to ignore emerging areas. The Information Technology sector is one area where Labour rules are yet to make proper in-roads, and the level of tension and uncertainty in such organizations have not yet become visible or loud. With our economy transforming itself to a Knowledge Economy, newer challenges can be expected in the labour sector and Institutes like KILE will have to be prepared to meet such challenges.
As a person hailing from the Judiciary, I have seen and understood the difficulties faced by several types of employees. One case in point was that of the journalists, who were fighting for a revised wage structure as per the Majithiya Wage Board. It was a case in which the mightiest lawyers represented the Managements, but the employees' case was strong enough that they were given justice. It was a case which showed that even those in influential professions were struggling to get their rights.
We have labour courts and other systems to give justice to the workers, but, we also need a system to ensure that labour disputes do not drag on for too long, especially to the disadvantage of workers.
I have been informed that this concluding function will be followed by an exhibition to showcase the achievements of various government departments, public and private enterprises and agencies. It is laudable that Seminar sessions on important topics like Rebuilding Kerala: Role of Labour and Trade Unions, Women and Labour, Labour reforms and Interstate Migrant Workers in Kerala will be held tomorrow and the day after. I hope these informative programmes which situate themselves well within the Institute’s objective to create awareness, will be well received by the labouring section of society.
I wish the Institute all success in future and hope that it will empower our labor-force with proper skills and knowledge about their rights, duties and obligations to society. A well informed labour force ensures a more cordial industrial atmosphere, which in turn, enhances the prosperity of our society.
I compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
