The Congress party has launched a sharp critique against the Centre's implementation of four consolidated labour codes, dismissing them as merely repackaged versions of 29 existing laws and questioning their potential to deliver substantive justice to workers.
Political Clash Over Labour Reforms
On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh took to social media platform X to challenge the Narendra Modi government's characterization of the labour codes as revolutionary reforms. He pointed out that even the rules for these codes have not been officially notified yet, despite the laws being passed by Parliament over five years ago.
The four labour codes that came into effect on Friday include the Code of Wages (2019), Industrial Relations Code (2020), Code on Social Security (2020), and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020). These are designed to replace 29 fragmented labour laws with a unified framework.
Essential Worker Demands Unaddressed
Ramesh specifically questioned whether the new codes would fulfill what he described as five essential demands of India's workforce for achieving Shramik Nyay (worker justice). While the Congress leader didn't elaborate all five demands in his public statement, he emphasized that mere repackaging of existing laws doesn't constitute meaningful reform.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described these codes as one of the most comprehensive and progressive labour-oriented reforms since Independence. The government is expected to pre-publish draft rules within a week, followed by a 45-day window for public feedback before finalization.
Karnataka's Pioneering Example
In his critique, Ramesh pointed to Congress-ruled Karnataka as a model the Centre should emulate. He highlighted that the Karnataka government, along with the former government in Rajasthan, had pioneered labour reform for the 21st century with their groundbreaking gig worker laws that preceded the new national codes.
According to an official familiar with the implementation timeline, some provisions of the codes that relate to industry may come into effect from April 1, 2026. This staggered approach aims to allow businesses sufficient time to adapt to the new regulatory framework.
The political debate around these labour codes highlights the ongoing tension between the government's push for business-friendly reforms and opposition concerns about protecting worker rights in a rapidly evolving economy.
