Gujarat govt announce changes and exemptions in Contract Labour Act and in Inter-State Migrant Workman Act

Gandhinagar (Information): Gujarat Chief Minister Vijaybhai Rupani here today announced several changes and exemptions by Gujarat Government in Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition, 1970) Act and in Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Services) Act, 1979 to help industries facing difficulties in the wake of global pandemic novel coronavirus COVID-19.

Additional Chief Secretary for Labour and Employment Vipul Mitra said that the Gujarat Government has announced these changes and exemptions to attract fresh investment and create large-scale job opportunities in the state. Several other amendments are also under consideration.

As per the announcements, changes have been incorporated in Rules 24, 26 and 27 of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition Act) (Gujarat) Rules, 1972 by which no need to pay any contract fee for less than 50 workers.

As per the changes in Rule 27, the recognition of licence under Rule 25 will remain in force till the time period shown in Form-V. Earlier, this notification used to remain in force only for 12 months.

The Rules 29, 30 and 32 will be abolished. These Rules were for renewing licence, registration, for duplicate certificate of the renewing licence and for temporary certificate of licence. These will not be required now.

As per these changes, Mr. Mittra said, the employers will have the flexibility of getting registration and licence only once for long time, and need not make rounds of the Labour Department for renewal every year.

Similarly, the notification regarding Inter-State Migrant (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Services) (Gujarat) Rules are for changes under which Rules 14 and 15 are abolished. It was related to renewing licence.

Mittra exuded confidence it will be easier to do business in Gujarat with these steps, to overcome the adverse effects of the pandemic COVID-19 on the industries, affecting the economic development. The State Government is playing an important role in bringing the economy back to track and in attracting new industries with the help of fast and pragmatic decisions, skillfully combining availability of human resources with related labour laws and protecting the interests of the workers as well.