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PHDCCI organized Industrial Relations Summit 2023 today on the theme "Forging New Paths in Industrial Relations in Bharat's Transforming Business Environment". The Summit provided an important platform for discussions, knowledge sharing, and strategic planning to enhance Industrial Relation practices in the growing Indian economy.

Mr. Ashish Wig, Chair, HR & IR Committee, PHDCCI mentioned that in line with the theme of the Summit, the concept of “Udyog Parivar” has been developed, which becomes more relevant with the changing dynamics of the industry. These dynamics have been changing especially Post-Covid. The ‘Udyog Parivar’ entails the workers, the employer, the union and also the govt. He mentioned that earlier we heard a lot about the concept of ‘hire & fire’; this has now been replaced by ‘employee retention’. Further, since the economy is growing we need more efficient workers, skilling, and social wellbeing.

Mr. Jag Mohan, Former Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO mentioned when India became independent, there was a lot of unrest among the people; hence the govt. came up with the Provident Fund Act so that the people get some social security. However, as the economy grew and became more international in nature, the employer-employee relationship underwent a lot of change. He also mentioned about Code of Social Security, 2020 where all the Acts have been specified. As the social security schemes are increasing, we expect more schemes for specific class of workers in the coming years.

Mr. Hirnmay Pandya, All India President: Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh mentioned that Industrial Relation is a theoretical subject but at times, practical aspects are missing from that. It is only through the concept of ‘Udyog Parivar’ that the industrial relations are maintained properly. The Industrial Relations are maintained from both the sides – the management and the trade unions. He mentioned that ‘Samvaad se Sangharsh’ is the new way to move ahead and all the trade unions have to work cooperatively.

The concept of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 are knocking the door. Artificial Intelligence has also gained currency now a days.

Mr. SC Yadav, Additional Commissioner (Labour), The Labour Department, Govt. of NCT of Delhi mentioned that IR is actually ‘Industry’ + ‘Relations’. The industry works through workers and machinery to produce. Earlier there used to be only an Industrial Relations dept., there was no concept of a HR dept. Over the years, situations have changed and now there are no ’dharnas’ or closures by trade unions. In India, the concept of ‘strike’ means the employees will stop doing their work. However, in abroad it is different; during ‘strike’ the employees starts over production so that the employer is forced to listen to their issues. Now, gradually this change in concept is also coming to India. Unless and until the employers hear the workers problems the business cannot be successful.

Mr. Saji Narayanan, Former President, National Majdoor Sangh apprised the audience that people from abroad are curious to know more about India and how the concept of ‘Harmony’ works so well here. He enlightened that this concept of ‘Harmony’ is something we have learnt from the model of family. In ‘Udyog Parivar’, there should be the concept of ‘Rule like a Father’. He stressed that there should be family like tradition with the workers.

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