Dindigul Road Blockade: 300 Detained as Unions Rally Against Labour Codes
Dindigul, Tamil Nadu – Over 300 protesters were detained by police on Monday as trade unions staged a road blockade here, condemning the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government and demanding the withdrawal of four recently enacted labour codes. The demonstration, organised by a coalition of unions including the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), and the Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), aimed to draw attention to what they describe as anti-worker provisions in the new laws.
The four labour codes – the Code on Wages, the Industrial Relations Code, the Social Security Code, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code – were passed by Parliament in 2019 and 2020, consolidating 29 existing labour laws. The government has maintained that these codes simplify regulations, promote ease of doing business, and enhance worker welfare. However, trade unions across the country have repeatedly opposed them, arguing that they erode workers' rights, weaken collective bargaining, and facilitate easier retrenchment.
At Monday's protest, union leaders articulated their demands through slogans and speeches, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the codes. A prominent demand was the revision of the minimum wage to ₹42,000 per month, a figure that unions argue is essential to meet the rising cost of living and ensure a dignified standard of life for workers and their families. The current minimum wage under the Payment of Wages Act varies by state and sector, often falling well below this threshold.
In addition to the labour codes, the protesters opposed the privatisation of public sector undertakings (PSUs). They contended that privatising state-owned enterprises would lead to job losses and the concentration of national wealth in private hands, undermining the public sector's role in providing stable employment and essential services. The unions urged the government to abandon its disinvestment plans and instead strengthen PSUs.
Security arrangements were in place as protesters gathered at a major junction in the city, blocking vehicular movement for several hours. Police personnel, in an effort to clear the road, detained the demonstrators and took them to a nearby holding area. According to official sources, all detained individuals were released later in the day without any charges being filed. The protest remained peaceful, with no reports of violence or damage to property.
Similar demonstrations have been held in various parts of the country since the labour codes were introduced, with unions calling for nationwide strikes and protests on different occasions. The Confederation of Free Trade Unions of India (CFTUI) and other central trade union organisations have been coordinating these efforts, asserting that the codes will be challenged through every available democratic means, including legal recourse and public mobilisation.
The incident in Dindigul is part of a larger pattern of labour unrest, reflecting deep concerns among workers about the direction of economic policy. While the government argues that reforms are necessary for economic growth and job creation, critics contend that they disproportionately favour employers and weaken worker protections. The debate remains sharp, with both sides invoking the need for social justice and economic progress.
As of now, the implementation of the four labour codes has been delayed, with rules not yet notified for most provisions. The unions have announced further protests in the coming weeks, indicating that the issue remains far from resolved. Meanwhile, the detained protesters in Dindigul have resumed their regular activities, with local union leaders stating that they will continue to fight for workers' rights until the government addresses their demands.
