West Bengal will not change labour laws like BJP states: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asserted on Wednesday (May 13) that the present labour laws will not be changed in the state amid the COVID-19 lockdown. While criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states which have brought changes to the labour laws, she announced that the existing laws will remain unchanged in West Bengal. She also stated that tweaking labour laws has jeopardised the job security of workers.

Banerjee explained that there will be no quick relief from the coronavirus pandemic in the near future and that the key to revival for the state economy lies in strengthening the infrastructure of rural West Bengal.

She added that some of the BJP-ruled states have either suspended labour laws or have altered them. The employees and labourers in such states would now have to work more but will get paid less.

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According to her, West Bengal will follow the existing labour laws and will ensure that the migrant workers returning to the state can be employed. While addressing a video-conference on COVID-19, she said that the government can employ the workers under the 100-days-work scheme (MGNREGS). She has also appealed to citizens that not more than 20 people should board a state-run bus, in order to maintain social distancing.

Meanwhile, she also criticised the COVID-19 relief economic package announced recently, saying that it is a big zero and there is nothing for the states. Also, in the wake of the controversy over the rationing system in the state, the Chief Minister asked the concerned officials to ensure that there are no complaints regarding the public distribution system (PDS).