CITU leader says Labour Codes will weaken workers' rights at workshop
CITU all-India secretary Karumalaiyan said on Sunday that the four Labour Codes would adversely affect workers' rights, and that central trade unions are opposing them. He was speaking at a two-day workshop on the Labour Codes held at Yechuri Bhavan in Maddilapalem, Visakhapatnam.
Mr. Karumalaiyan said the Codes would make forming trade unions and collective bargaining more difficult. He also criticised provisions requiring prior notice for strikes and restrictions during conciliation proceedings, saying these would curb workers' ability to protest against unfair practices.
He further alleged that the Codes would ease procedures for closure of establishments, and that they would favour employers and corporate organisations.
The four Labour Codes — the Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Social Security Code, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code — consolidate 29 central labour laws. The government has maintained that the Codes simplify and modernise labour regulations, improve ease of doing business, and expand social security coverage for workers. The codes were passed by Parliament between 2019 and 2020, but their implementation remains incomplete.
CITU, along with other central trade unions, has consistently opposed the Codes, arguing that they undermine worker protections and erode collective bargaining rights. The workshop was organised to discuss the potential impact of these laws on workers.
CITU State president Ch. Narsinga Rao and workers from several public-sector organisations attended the workshop, which will continue on Monday.
