Srinagar, Jul 15 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir has made significant progress towards implementation of the four Labour Codes enacted by the Centre, with rules under all the codes either notified or in the final stages of notification, officials said on Wednesday.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo reviewed the preparedness of the Labour and Employment Department for implementation of the new labour law framework at a high-level meeting here.
Dulloo said the Labour Codes would improve labour welfare, strengthen social security, promote industrial harmony and enhance the ease of doing business in the Union Territory.
He directed the department to expedite notification of the remaining rules, strengthen coordination with the Centre for operationalisation of digital platforms, complete the constitution of statutory boards and intensify awareness programmes to ensure seamless implementation.
Officials informed the meeting that rules under all four Labour Codes have been framed. While the rules under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 have already been notified, those under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 are in the final stage of notification.
The rules under the Code on Wages, 2019 and the Code on Social Security, 2020 have been pre-published and are undergoing the mandatory consultation process before final notification, they said.
The meeting was informed that Jammu and Kashmir is among the leading states and Union Territories in completing the statutory rule-making process for implementation of the Labour Codes.
According to officials, the department has organised 617 awareness camps across all 20 districts, reaching nearly five lakh workers, employers and other stakeholders. It has also conducted 283 capacity-building programmes benefiting over 7,200 participants.
The officials said the new Labour Codes aim to simplify labour laws by replacing 29 central legislations with four comprehensive codes while ensuring better social security, transparent governance and improved ease of doing business.
The meeting was also informed that four statutory bodies, including the State Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and the Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Board, would be constituted for effective implementation of the Codes.
Officials said the Labour and Employment Department has proposed a mission-mode implementation plan, including establishment of a Project Management Unit, deployment of block-level Shram Sahayiks, strengthening of IT infrastructure and integration with national labour portals. A proposal of Rs 10.44 crore has been submitted to the Finance Department for the purpose.(NVI)
