The Kerala government has decided to take the lead in raising demands of workers at the national level by exerting pressure on the Union government against the new four labour codes. A decision in this regard was taken at a national-level labour conclave organised by the State Labour department here on Friday, which termed the new four labour codes brought in by the Centre, replacing the 29 existing laws in the country, “anti-labour.”
As per the decision of the conclave, the State Labour Minister along with Central trade union representatives will meet the Union Labour Minister soon, pointing out the anti-worker nature of the Central labour codes. Kerala will also continue to be a model for the country in terms of protecting the rights of workers. The government will ensure the safety of all sections of the people, including IT, gig economy and migrant workers, the conclave announced.
In addition, the conclave has decided to form a committee of three legal experts to study the labour codes, understand the implications of the labour code for workers in Kerala, and suggest solutions. Retired judge Gopala Gowda, Professor Shyam Sundar, and Varkichan Petta will be the members of the committee. Two research students will also be part of the committee. The committee will submit its preliminary report within a month.
The conclave drew to a close by declaring the strong stance of the working class and Kerala against the four labour codes that the Centre intends to implement. The conclave also passed a resolution unanimously by declaring that the uncompromising struggle against the Central laws that take away the fundamental rights of workers will continue. According to Labour Minister V. Sivankutty, the four labour codes brought by the Centre, which codify 29 major labour laws, do not protect the interests of workers, but those of the corporates.
This is against the conventions of the International Labour Organisation. These laws were imposed after 2015 without convening the Indian Labour Conference and holding adequate discussions with trade unions. While most States have amended their laws in favour of labour codes, Kerala is adamant that it will not make any anti-labour amendments. Since labour is a subject included in the Concurrent list of the Constitution, the government will use its constitutional powers to protect the rights of workers in the State, the conclave announced.
The conclave also expressed concerns about allowing the working hours from eight hours to be extended to 12 hours, as it will pave the way for labour exploitation. The very concept of job stability through fixed-term employment is being destroyed with the implementation of the new labour codes. The new laws also weaken the right to strike and the right to organise. The new codes fail to ensure social security for the majority of the unorganised sector, including gig workers, it opined.
Inaugurating the conclave, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, it was the political and moral duty of a democratically elected government to speak on behalf of the working class, flag their concerns, and stand with them, especially in the era of increasing inequality between the capitalist and labour forces globally. He said the State firmly believes that development models that do not ensure job security and social welfare are not sustainable. The government defines the term ‘development’ not simply in terms of gross domestic product or corporate profits, but as a qualitative change in the standard of living of the people and an economy based on social justice, he said.
The conclave was attended by Minister of Finance K.N. Balagopal, Mr. Gowda, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) general secretary Tapan Sen, senior labour leader and former Rajya Sabha Member Elamaram Kareem, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) leader Amarjeet Kaur, Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) national secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh.
