Agencies

NEW DELHI, Oct 26: Oscar Fernandes assumed charge today as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Labour and Employment and promised to dialogue with all stakeholders on labor issues soon. 
 

The minister, a Catholic from Karnataka state, promised to discuss the issue of labor reforms and violation of labor laws. Fernandes said the government is concerned about the well being of workers and “we don’t have any problem with any section of trade unions on labour issues.”

He said that imparting vocational training to youth, providing social security to workers in unorganised sector, strengthening of tripartite mechanism and EPF interest rate will be his priorities.

He said that the meeting of the Central Board of Trustees of the Employees Provident Fund would be convened next month to discuss interest rate and investment of EPF deposits in markets as directed by the Finance Ministry.

Regarding ban on child labor, Fernandes said the government was monitoring with the State governments the implementation of the ban imposed early this month.

Fernandes has been Minister of State (Independent Charge) Without Portfolio. Earlier he has served as Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs.

He began his political career as a Member of Municipal Council, Udupi, Karnataka in 1972. He shifted to central stage with his entry to 7th Lok Sabha in 1980.

He was subsequently elected to 8th, 9th, 10th & 11th Lok Sabha. Fernandes was elected to Rajya Sabha in April 1998 and re-elected in July 2004.

He has been Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi. Fernandes has also served as General Secretary of All India Congress Committee (AICC) and President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.