The Kerala government finds itself in the midst of significant controversy following the emergence of a draft document that appears to align with the Centre's recently notified labour codes. This development has sparked intense debate across political and labour circles in the state.
Centre Notifies Four Labour Codes
The union government has officially notified all four labour codes that had been pending since 2020. This landmark decision represents one of the most substantial reforms in India's labour landscape in recent decades. Among the most notable changes introduced is the provision for universal social security coverage for gig workers, addressing a growing segment of India's workforce that has previously operated without formal protections.
Kerala's Draft Document Sparks Controversy
The draft document linked to Kerala's potential implementation of these central labour codes has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. Opposition parties and labour unions have expressed concerns about the state government's position regarding these sweeping reforms. The timing of the draft's appearance, coming shortly after the Centre's notification, has added fuel to the political fire in Kerala.
According to information released on 26 November 2025, the labour codes introduce comprehensive changes to how workers' rights and employer responsibilities are structured across organized and unorganized sectors. The codes consolidate and replace 29 existing labour laws, aiming to simplify compliance while extending social security benefits to millions of workers previously excluded from formal protection systems.
Implications for Workers and Employers
The universal social security coverage for gig workers represents a particularly significant development, given the exponential growth of platform-based employment in recent years. This provision could potentially affect thousands of delivery personnel, ride-sharing drivers, and other platform workers across Kerala who have been operating without traditional employment benefits.
As the debate intensifies, all eyes remain on how the Kerala government will navigate this politically sensitive issue. The state has historically positioned itself as a champion of workers' rights, making its stance on the central labour codes particularly significant for other states observing the developments.
