Job quotas not acceptable: CII
Our Corporate Bureau / New Delhi April 21, 2006
Chamber sets up task force under JJ Irani on affirmative action.
Amid reports that the government may take recourse to legislation to mandate job quotas in the private sector for weaker sections of society, the Confederation of Indian Industry today said that "mandatory reservation in any form is not conducive to competencies and therefore will not be acceptable".
Alongside this stance, the industry association announced setting up of a taskforce under former Tata Steel chairman JJ Irani to take affirmative action for underprivileged people.
Ashok Leyland Managing Director R Seshasayee, who has just taken charge as CII president, said in New Delhi that the taskforce would submit its report in eight weeks and detail ways to empower Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes and give them education and employment skills.
"We hope to roll this out soon so that the benefits of growth flow down to all sections of society," he said.
In fact, inclusiveness is one of CII's three themes for this year, along with competitiveness and sustainability.
Asked how industry would react if the government did bring legislation to mandate job quotas in the private sector, Seshasayee said: "I do not have news that the government is going to do it on Monday morning. The government is responsive to dialogue. We are committed to positive action. I do not think legislation is a solution. (However) if you have a law, I have to abide by it."
He said the issue was a complicated one. "We are an externally engaged economy. We have many global companies here. If such a law is brought in, these MNCs might say why should we set shop here and move out. If the legislation is only for domestic industry even then it will be detrimental".
The issue of job reservations in the private sector has been simmering since the United Progressive Alliance came to power at the Centre and talked about it in its common minimum programme. However, on Tuesday, the government's stand seemed to have softened.
Delivering the inaugural address to CII's Annual Session on Tuesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh merely talked about affirmative action by industry. Instead of mentioning quotas, the prime minister said there was a need to ensure that no group felt excluded from enjoying the fruits of rapid economic growth.
He urged industry to "seriously consider" enhancing educational and employment opportunities for weaker sections, investing in their skill enhancement and promoting their employment in an affirmative manner.
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