India Tomorrow

NEW DELHI, MAY 22— “The state governments, under the cover of COVID-19 pandemic, are exploiting the situation to weaken labor laws and undermine the workers’ rights to attract investors,” said the Welfare Party of India in its letter to President Ram Nath Kovind and urged him not to give his assent to the ordinances passed by the states.

In the last couple of weeks, some states including Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh had decided to bring ordinances to suspend labor laws to attract investment as the economy of the country and states have been badly hit by the Coronavirus-driven lockdown. Civil society groups and child rights activists had opposed the move.

In his letter, Welfare Party president Dr. SQR Ilyas said: “These ordinances not only violate the International labour laws which India is a signatory member but will also be in gross violation of Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.”

Dr SQR Ilyas

“It is not “permissible within the law” for the state governments to pass an ordinance in direct conflict with central laws which have been passed by the Parliament with the assent of the President, unless the latter himself instructs the governor to pass such an ordinance. Sir, the state governments are first passing ordinances then fearing repugnancy are seeking your assent under Article 213 of the Constitution,” he said.

He urged the President not to give his assent to these ordinances.

“I therefore appeal to your Excellency the President of India, to immediately intervene and declared these ordinances unconstitutional, void and deny your assent to them and thereby save a lot of embarrassment to your government,” Dr Ilyas said.