Secondary Resources (Industries)
If we
are able to create adequate infrastructure, provide power and rehabilitate all
viable sick and closed units of the country, we can place this sector among the
most prosperous and industrialised sectors in the world.
It may also call for a review
of our labour laws for better harmony, productivity and quality of work as
analysed below:
Most of us bask in the glory
of our democracy and its generous “democratic rights”. It is like giving undue liberty and laxity to a child by his parents without inculcating good
traits in him. Such a child going astray is no surprise. Labour interpreted
these rights as their freedom to indulge in unwarranted direct actions and
expressing their grievances with a vengeance. But indiscipline and unethical
rights cannot be democratic rights, and neither can it be their welfare. Indiscipline
and arrogance are the virtues our labour embraced. To earn their support the
political class not only ignored the wrongs they were doing, they also enacted
wicked labour laws in favour of the labourer. Gradually we became a race with
little mettle and more flab. Inefficiency, poor work culture, a callous
attitude, and disregard for our duties and responsibilities became the fashion
of the day.
We should not forget that
“duties” and “rights” go hand in hand.
”Duties” we sow and “rights” we
reap!
Before liberalisation (1991), labour unions
mushroomed and labour offices flourished. It was a free-for-all, unions, labour
and labour offices. Lots of money would transact between the management, unions
and the labour office, while only a little would reach the labourer. The
illiterate labourer remained illiterate and poor. I can authentically say so
because I was in my own industry and other businesses then.
Post-liberalisation, the situation is somewhat improved due to the emphasis on
mechanisation and automation and the need for skilled workers rather than
unskilled. Also the employer has now adopted stricter scrutiny measures during recruitment.
No matter what, we cannot
overlook the ghastly events at the Maruti establishments at Gurgaon and Manesar,
created at regular intervals out of non-issues (2011-12). We now learn that
Maruti and many corporate sector institutions have since introduced
self-defence training for their staff.
Growth of the secondary (industrial) sector is
vital to build the economy of a nation. The well-being of this sector and
social justice to workmen both are important while framing industrial policies.
A show of social justice for workers at the cost of economy is not only
meaningless; it also kills our own golden goose. No one likes to deny social
justice to a workman nor is averse to his well-being but everything has its
means and values. Industrial unrest, strikes, lockouts, slow down, tools down
and abuse to management cannot mean welfare, and have surely dragged the
country to our present wretchedness. Whatever be the causes of unrest, the law
should not give liberty to strike work or affect productivity by any means.
Productivity is the only hope that can bail us out from unemployment and
poverty, and provide a healthy economic base. How can we kill our own horse or
chop the branch on which we are sitting?
First and foremost is the welfare of the nation and
its poor masses, which requires a clear vision and prudent policies. We cannot
compromise on this nor dole out concessions that dilute this philosophy. We
must make people work rather than stop them from working. Discipline and
responsibility to one’s duty are the basic virtues to build a strong and prosperous
society or a nation. Any philosophy preaching to the contrary is a farce. In
our own interest, we must shun indiscipline and callousness and cultivate
discipline and conscientiousness for our responsibilities and duties. Dear countrymen
remember nothing comes the easy way; one has to work hard to achieve something;
“work is worship”.
Democratic rights give us
freedom of expression not destruction.
The
next topic will be tertiary resources (Tourism and Services).
Thanks
and Regards
K C
Agrawal
Access e-book @ www.indiainshambles.com
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