NEW DELHI: The government’s efforts to convince central trade unions, which have called for a nationwide strike on September 2 in protest against the proposed labour reforms, remained futile with the Centre proposing a minimum wage of Rs 10,000 while trade unions sticking on to `15,000 and removal of the cap on minimum wages.
The second day talks between the ministers’ group headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and the trade union leaders remained inconclusive.
Trade unions are scheduled to meet on Friday to discuss the future course of action as an agreement could only be reached on half of the 12-points charter of demands put forth by them.
The inter-ministerial committee also includes Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Power Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State in PMO Jitender Singh.
Unions also include the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, an affiliate of the RSS, and they demanded a written assurance from the government to fulfil all their demands.
“The minimum wage will see a revolution in India as all workers will get a respectable wage,” said Pradhan after the meeting.
Dattatreya had said on Wednesday that the government is agreeing to 7-8 demands of the unions while discussion on labour reforms is an ongoing process and the government is positive about it.
The ministers’ group was constituted to strike a compromise with trade unions, which were opposed to several proposed labour reforms.