New Delhi: Industrial relations have shown a significant improvement in the nineties as compared to the eighties with cases of strikes and lockouts registering a steep fall.

"A review of data on work stoppages arising out of industrial disputes reveals a significant improvement in industrial relations scenario in the nineties as compared to the eighties," Labour Ministry sources said on August 22.

Stating that strikes and lockouts have shown not only a declining trend but also a steep fall, they said the number of such disputes dipped from 1,825 in 1990 to 555 in 2001.

The total number of strikes and lockouts has also shown a declining trend. While in the public sector the number dropped drastically from 628 in 1990 to 112 in 2001, the private sector witnessed a perceptible drop in industrial disputes from 1197 to 443 in 2001.

Attributing the improvement in the industrial relations to harmonious atmosphere conducive to higher investment and growth, they said the new economic policy has brought about positive changes in the post-reform era. Credit also went to both the management and the workers for this, they said.

PTI