Labour unions in the industrial hub of Ludhiana have launched a strong protest against the Central government's new set of labour codes, labelling them as a severe attack on the rights of workers. The unions are demanding an immediate withdrawal of what they term "anti-worker" and "pro-corporate" legislation.
What Are The New Labour Codes?
The Central government has introduced four new labour codes covering wages, industrial relations, social security, and occupational safety. Officially, the goal is to simplify and modernize the country's complex labour laws. However, the reception on the ground tells a different story.
Union leaders argue that instead of protecting workers, the new codes systematically dismantle long-established rights. Lakhwinder Singh, president of the Karkhana Mazoor Union, stated, "These new codes are a direct attack on India's historic labour protection."
Key Points of Contention
The unions have highlighted several specific provisions that they find particularly alarming:
At the core of the dispute is the "hire and fire" regime for industries with up to 300 workers. This provision allows companies to dismiss employees at will, which critics say devastates job security. The codes also expand the use of contract and fixed-term employment.
Furthermore, the new rules grant employers significant power to unilaterally decide working hours, wages, and service conditions. Jagdish Singh, president of the Textile Hosiery Kamgar Union, emphasized that employers no longer need permission from the labour commissioner to fire an employee, removing a key layer of oversight.
A major concern is the new classification for a "worker." Under the new system, only those earning below ₹18,000 per month will be classified as workers. This change is expected to shrink the organized workforce dramatically, making it harder for lakhs of employees to form unions or access legal protections.
Potential Consequences for Workers
Union leaders warn that the combined effect of these changes will be devastating for the working class. They predict a push towards longer, more exhausting work schedules, with the possibility of a 12-hour workday replacing the standard eight-hour day.
Lakhwinder Singh expressed deep concern, stating that these codes, by reducing job security and increasing work hours, will "push workers deeper into the tunnel of poverty." He added that what the government calls "reforms" are, in reality, a stripping away of fundamental labour rights.
The unions are united in their demand: the government must withdraw these codes. Any future labour policy, they insist, must be genuinely worker-friendly, not just appear to be so.
