Factories with up to 300 workers can fire without government approval After failing to get the Centre’s approval to the ordinance route, the Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday passed a single Bill to amend eight major labour laws; seven other laws would be changed through compounding provisions, etc. With this, Madhya Pradesh became the third state in a year, after Rajasthan and Gujarat, to pass its own labour law amendments in Assembly. After the amendments, those companies in Madhya Pradesh that employ up to 300 people will be allowed to retrench workers or shut shop without government approval ( the current provision is for those employing up to 100 to do so). To be able to do so, employers will have to give a higher compensation package —workers will get a threemonth notice and at least three months’ salary in the event of retrenchment. At present, either of two is provided; and employees are paid 15 days of wages for every year worked. Also, in case of a dispute, a worke