International Readers Repmrt

SOOTHING INDIA'S LABOR STRIFE

Regarding "The unions' iron grip on India" (International Business, Aug. 29), the solution is definitely not to have legislation that empowers industry to hire and fire workers, for that will only lead to social unrest. What is needed in India is legislation that a) curbs militancy in union actions, b) ensures that workers' productivity levels rise, and c) allows industry to redeploy manpower.

In fact, organizations such as the National Productivity Council in India should take the lead in organizing mass awareness programs in industry to bring home the point that Indian workers have no other option but to bring their productivity levels to par (at least) with their counterparts in developed nations.

Shabbir Merchant

Bombay