New labour codes should be withdrawn; Minister V Sivankutty writes to Union Minister

Minister V. Sivankutty has written a letter to Union Labour Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya demanding the immediate withdrawal of the four new labour codes notified by the Central Government. He strongly opposed the new codes, which merge 29 existing labour laws into four.

In the letter, the minister stated that although reforms in the labour sector are necessary, the new labour codes undermine workers’ rights, welfare, and the basic principle of social justice. Representatives of central trade unions had also clarified in a meeting called by the state government that the new reforms weaken labour security, collective bargaining rights, and safe working conditions.

The minister pointed out that labour is a subject under the Concurrent List of the Constitution. Even then, the Centre went ahead with these decisions without proper consultation with state governments or central trade unions. Avoiding such democratic discussions will only disturb labour peace in the country, he added.

In this situation, the minister urged that the Centre must immediately withdraw the labour codes in their current form. He also demanded the start of transparent and wide-ranging discussions involving state governments, trade unions, and other stakeholders. New laws should be introduced only after ensuring the protection of Indian workers’ rights and welfare, Sivankutty said in the letter.