Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Friday his government is focusing on boosting economic growth by creating a broad consensus with trade unions and political parties.

Singh was speaking at an Economic Times award function in Mumbai where he noted that only when India's government works together with trade unions and political parties, can a flexible labor market be created.

As far as the labor market reforms are concerned, my own feeling is that we shouldn't dismiss lightly the fears of workers of becoming unemployed, Singh said in a released statement.

Concern was expressed by communist party members and trade unions that are opposed to a flexible labor market, as they believe it will lead to job losses.

We can dispel these fears only if at the macro level employment in our country is growing fast enough. If at the macro level our system is generating lots more jobs people will not be afraid of changing their jobs from time to time, said Singh.

India Unemployment