The authoritarian bias for labours in India during COVID-19 and its distorting effect on labour relations

This article is a humble attempt to cover the recent series of helter skelter actions taken by government agencies and the attitude of state executive machinery and Industrial houses towards the working population in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. It also tries to list down possible explanations ranging from state apathy to well calculated kafkasque plans which led to mass exodus or forced reverse migration for labourers from Urban centres to their native places in rural India. The paper attempts to capture the impact of a series of steps taken by government and its apathetic attitude on Labour relations and its propensity to affect Industrial peace and prosperity as well suggests measures for achieving cordial labour relations post COVID-19. Also the viability of subsidised rent accommodation at workplace and educational facilities arrangement for children of migrant workers has been discussed as a step forward by government and Industry for venturing into a new paradigm of Labour relations.