Trade Unions Bill, 2019 introduced in LS

New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS) The government on Tuesday introduced "The Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill, 2019" in the Lok Sabha amid objections by the opposition parties.

The bill, which seeks amendment to the Trade Unions Act, 1926, faced opposition on various issues including that it was not listed for the legislative business earlier as per the rule.

Introducing the bill, Union Minister of State (Independent Change) for Labour and Employment Santosh Kumar Gangwar said around 12 trade unions are authorised and the bill is to provide a legal system.

Congress's Shashi Tharoor expressed his objections on the manner the bill was introduced and over its contents.

"My first objection is that Members of Parliament must be given copies of the bills in advance, before it is introduced. This bill is being brought in a surreptitious manner," Tharoor said.

As regards to the contents of the bill, the MP said, it in fact vests open-ended discretionary powers to the government to determine which trade union should or should not be recognised.

"The bill fails to lay down comprehensive objective standards for this determination... It is a matter of shame that the government has decided to push this bill in this manner when major 10 central trade unions have written to the Minister opposing this bill," he added.

Calling the bill "draconian", A. Sampath of CPI-M said this is unconstitutional as it is against the Article 1(C) of the Constitution.

"Article 43 of the Constitution has also been violated. This is going to cut the throat of working class."

M.B. Rajesh of the CPI said: "The bill is being opposed by all central trade unions. The government is using its power."