Attorney General Venkataramani inaugurates seminar on Labour Law reforms

New Delhi: – A program on “Labour Law Reforms in India – Navigating a Way Forward Against the Headwinds”, was organized by Rightmen Services India, an HR consulting & training company, in New Delhi on Wednesday. The inaugural session was graced by Attorney General of India,  R. Venkataramani, as the Chief Guest, along with Dr. Manoj Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Law & Justice, and  K.P. Mahadevaswamy, Chairman, SCOPE & CMD, NBCC as Guests of Honour.

Alok Kumar, Director, Rightmen Services & Managing Partner, THS – The Law Firm, welcomed the dignitaries. The event, designed to explore solutions to challenges delaying the implementation of the four new Labour Codes enacted in 2019 and 2020, saw participation from policy makers, corporate leaders, academicians, researchers, and trade union representatives in a day-long deliberation.

In his inaugural address, the Attorney General underscored the need to balance dignity with progress and reflected on the ideological foundations that have shaped India’s labour laws. Dr. Manoj Kumar emphasized the meticulous consultation and transparency involved in law-making and called for capacity building in states to ensure smooth implementation. K.P. Mahadevaswamy highlighted the role of Public Sector Enterprises in ensuring effective enforcement of laws for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Three technical sessions followed, chaired by  Ayush Gupta (Director-HR, GAIL India),  A.K. Sharma (Director-Personnel, SJVN Ltd.), and  R.P. Singh (Director-HR & Legal, IFFCO). Speakers from corporate sectors, academia, and trade unions discussed the urgency of implementing the Labour Codes to foster long-term economic growth.

While several stakeholders pressed for swift implementation, trade unions expressed concerns. BMS representatives supported the immediate implementation of the Code on Wages and Code on Social Security, with a review of the other two Codes. AITUC representatives called for a review of all four Labour Codes. The consensus was that a practical action plan must be formulated, balancing stakeholder perspectives and aligning with the national economic interest.

The program drew enthusiastic participation from Maharatna and Navratna PSUs such as Powergrid Corporation, GAIL India, REC, HAL, SJVN, NHPC, NBCC, BEML, CONCOR, CEL, as well as leading PSU banks like Central Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank, and cooperatives like IFFCO and Indian Potash.

Vinod Behari, CEO, Rightmen Services India, who delivered the formal vote of thanks at the end.