Oscar’s message for managements
1 min read 30 Sep 2008, 09:39 PM ISTOscar’s message for managements
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New Delhi: Union Minister for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes has said greater interaction between managements and workers will help prevent recurrence of Noida type incidents. Speaking at a Assocham seminar in New Delhi on Tuesday, the minister, who had apologized for his statement following the killing of a CEO by agitated employees in Noida, said his earlier statement was misinterpreted.
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“I’ve been misunderstood. I’m sorry if I’ve pained anybody on this particular issue. I would not like to carry on with discussion at all. The media wants a debate I am ready for that. But de-link from this incident," said Fernandes.
Agreeing with the minister’s view on relations between management and labour, experts say the Noida incident is not isolated. Corporate India has been coming face to face with workers for sometime now, they point out.
“There is no formal social security which means if the person does not have a job, he/she is on street. It is the anxiety of the workforce, that look my back is against the wall and I am helpless," said Pravin Sinha, Senior Project Advisor at Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, a German institute.
So, how does industry feel about this? Employers also agree that maintaining good relations with their workers should be given high priority. “As long as you’re transparent, as long as you know how to engage or involve your employees, and as long as you’ve very good grievance redreessal machinery available and you make people proactive, instance like Noida won’t happen at all," said Hari Nair, Vice President-Human Resources, Sona Koyo Steering Systems.
Experts also say it is important to give workers adequate representation in the management process and to address discontent before it blows up to the proportions witnessed in Noida last week.
