Labour Ministry seeks feedback on draft model

The labour ministry has sought the feedback of stakeholders on the draft model standing (DMS) orders for the mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, to set standards for service conditions and employees’ conduct. The Ministry of Labour and Employment said that pursuant to Section 29 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the central government has published the draft model standing orders for the mining, manufacturing, and service sectors in the official gazette, inviting suggestions/objections from the stakeholders within a span of 30 days. The draft orders were notified on 31 December 2020. Feedback on the draft model standing orders can be emailed to  sanjeev.bom@nic.in. All three model standing orders will encourage employers to use information technology in the dissemination of information to the workers through electronic mode. To safeguard the IT industry, involvement in unauthorised access of any IT system, the computer network of the employer, client and customer has been deemed as misconduct, as per the draft orders. “Work from home” concept has been formalised in the model standing orders for the service sector. The draft order for the services sector provides that in the case of the IT sector, the working hour shall be as per agreement or conditions of appointment between employer and workers. Rail travel facilities have been extended to the workers in the mining sector. Currently, it is being availed by the workers in coal mines only. The model standing orders taken up in respect of an industrial establishment will also be applicable to all other units of the industrial establishment irrespective of location. According to the orders, where an employer adopts the central government’s model standing orders with respect to matters related to industrial establishment or undertaking, such a model standing order shall be regarded to have been certified. Image Source