INTUC seeks inclusion of ‘Labour’ in renamed SHAKTI department

The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Committee, has urged the Telangana government to retain the word ‘Labour’ in the newly-renamed Department of Skill Human Capital and Knowledge Training Initiatives (SHAKTI), stating that the omission undermines the historical significance and identity of the labour movement.

In a representation submitted to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday, INTUC expressed concern over the government’s decision to rename the Labour, Employment, Training and Factories Department as SHAKTI. The union said that while it had no objection to a change in nomenclature, the new name should mandatorily include the word ‘Labour’.

The union said the department was established to safeguard the interests of workers, many of whom belong to vulnerable sections and rely on labour laws for protection. It argued that the removal of the words ‘Labour’ and ‘Employment’ from the department’s name came at a time when several labour enactments had already been consolidated into four labour codes, resulting in a reduction of workers’ rights. 

The union contended that the Labour Department has historically represented the dignity and significance of the workforce at the State, national and global levels. The acronym SHAKTI does not contain any reference to labour either in its expanded form or abbreviation, making it inappropriate for a department responsible for labour welfare, they said.