The State Government is committed for the welfare of workers in the organized as well as unorganized sector. Several Labour laws are being effectively implemented in the State for ensuring that the workers are not deprived of their legitimate rights and at the same time a conducive and peaceful environment is provided for the entrepreneurs.
The provisions of applicable Labour Laws are implemented by conducting periodical inspections of the private establishments and in case of violations, prosecution cases are filed in the competent courts of law. Himachal Pradesh is the first State in the country to amend H.P. Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Riles, 1974 and H.P Minimum Wages Rules, 1978 to make it mandatory for the industrial establishments and hydro electric projects to issue Identity Cards to the workers which are required to be attested by the Labour Officer of the concern area. With these amendments the principal employer and contractors cannot escape the responsibility to provide legal dues to the workers.
The State Government has progressively raised the minimum wages for the scheduled employments since 1958 under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and as on date the minimum wages for the unskilled workers working in scheduled unemployment is Rs 6300 per month. There is an additional increase of 25 per cent to 45 per cent over and above in wages so fixed for the workers working in tribal areas and under construction power projects.
Himachal Pradesh is among the few States in the country where wages to the workers are being paid through banks to reduce exploitation of workers and the state rules under the provisions of the Payment of Wages Act 1936 to this effect are being amended accordingly. In order to prevent the exploitation of contract labour, State Government is implementing the provisions of Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 very effectively. The State Government has appointed Labour Officers as Registering and Licensing Officers under the said Act.
In order to make the process transparent and minimize the interface between the workers and the establishments, the registration and licensing/renewal under the provisions of Factories Act, 1948, the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970, the Inter State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Services) Act, 1979 the Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961 and The Himachal Pradesh Shops and Commercial Establishment Act, 1969 has been made online.
The State Government has also finalized the State Inspection Scheme so that Inspection of Establishment under all the applicable labour laws is done in one go so that the same establishment is not inspected time and again.
For facilitating the job-seekers State Government has computerized all 74 Employment Exchanges. For placement of Himachali youth in the Industrial Establishments and Hydro Electric Projects, the State Government has developed a Job Portal in which data of registered candidate is available online. The State Government also organises campus interviews for one private employers and job fair for many private employees where job seeking youth can get employment opportunities.
The State Government is focusing on industrialization of the State for which providing conducive environment and better worker-employer relations are vital. Every endeavour is being made to provide such an environment in the State, where workers get proper working conditions, safety and social security etc. This would ensure industrial peace and harmony in the State by mutual consensus and cooperation.