While addressing the industry delegates at the Conference on Transformation of Industrial Relations to Employee Relations organized by CII today at Gurgaon, Mr Pandey said that , “India will have to create a robust mechanism for continuous skill enhancement of its youth to face the global challenges of today”.
He further said that, 54% of our population is under 25 years and it gives us a huge opportunity to utilize this resource in building our nation. Defining the skill gap he added that 95% of South Korean population gets formal skill training while in India the percentage is merely 2 %.
Focusing on Inclusive Growth model, he said that the growth in India is not evenly distributed and is happening only in Islands. Mr Pandey asked the industry to focus on Organizational Development through Individual development and applauded industry’s efforts in employee engagement and welfare initiatives.
Dr Sanjeeva Reddy, President, Indian National Trade Union Congress, said that trust and transparency between management and worker is the key to resolving 90 % industrial disputes and the basis to harmonious environment at the workplace. The workers do not understand the technical aspects of industrial relations, they only understand the humane approach. Continuous education and information sharing between the management and workers ensures a connect which does not allow frivolous issues to crop up. Mr Reddy said that it is imperative that the worker realizes the value of the product he is manufacturing and his contribution to the growth of the company.
Mr Anupam Malik, Joint Labour Commissioner, Department of Labour, Government of Haryana said that the industry has moved from command and control structure to a partnership structure. The industry needs to focus on the socio economic development to ensure a healthy growth environment. Tripartism comes only when bipartism fails. The employees should be taken into confidence which will give them a sense of belonging.
Mr Jayant Davar, Chairman, CII Northern Region said that it is time to change the paradigm of the term Industrial Relations. He said that successful enterprises are by people and not machines. With the constantly changing markets, products and policies the two essential factors for an organization are Partnership & Flexibility. He also said that Haryana was one of the first states to address the inclusion of women workforce in service sector and hence change the policies accordingly.
Mr Vikram Kasbekar, Chairman, IR Taskforce, CII Northern Region said that freshers who join the Industry today do not have an exposure to people management to effectively understand the situations that arise on the shop floor. They need to be mentored and briefed with the nuances of relationships that are an important component of Industrial relations.
Mr Rajiv Kapoor, Co – Chairman, IR Taskforce, CII Northern Region said that India’s best asset is its large and growing workforce, a cohort of increasingly literate, innovative and hardworking young people. Indeed, India’s rise towards an inclusive and high growth economy is predicated on unleashing the dynamism and productivity of its work.
Mr Harbhajan Singh, Vice President, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Ltd said that investment in human asset gives the highest returns. He said that increasing the competitiveness of the labour creates a bond which enables the industry to flourish with harmonious industrial relations.
The conference witnessed experience sharing by eminent speakers from companies like Larsen & Toubro, Carrier Aircondinitiong & Referigeration, Heidelberg Cement, NTPC, JCB, Mahindra & Mahindra, TVS Motors and SRF Ltd.
The conference also had an interaction with eminent trade union leaders like Dr Sanjeeva Reddy, President, INTUC, Dr Pravin Sinha, Indian Industrial Relations Association and Mr S D Tyagi, National Executive Member, Hind Mazdoor Sabha.
The conference had participation from over 125 delegates from across the region and also some ITI students to motivate them towards positive work culture in the future.