For a modern workforce

Push to labour reforms is welcome, focus must now shift to boosting worker productivity

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THE CENTRE'S DECISION to finally notify the four labour codes passed by Parliament in 2019-2020, is designed and expected to prompt the hesitant among the state governments to get their "Acts" together. A uniform policy framework for the labour market is key to structural improvement of the economy, and would complement the reforms undertaken of other factors of production. The codes contain both finer regulatory and stronger rights-based features, as compared to what's prescribed under the 29 "fragmented laws", which they seek to replace and modernise. The codes can't be faulted for favouring just those who hold the levers of capital. Measures like statutory backing for minimum wages, extension of a modicum of social security to fast-emerging gig and platform workers, facilitation of the welfare of migrant labourers, and fortified rights for women workers, testify to a balancing of the interests of capital and labour. More precisely, these two interests are seen to converge under the codes.