Why 10 trade unions are opposing India's new labor codes
What's the story
Ten trade unions have opposed the recently implemented four labor codes in India, calling them "genocidal attacks on the lives and livelihoods of workers." The unions have called for demonstrations against the new laws tomorrow. They argue that some provisions of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code, 2020 are anti-worker and need to be repealed or redrafted.
Concerns raised
Unions criticize provisions linked to factory closures, strikes
Harbhajan Singh, General Secretary of Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), criticized provisions related to factory closures and the right to strike. He said these directly impact workers' lives and social security. Despite raising concerns with the government, Singh said they unilaterally implemented the codes without addressing their issues. The unions have vowed to continue their fight until these codes are withdrawn.
Mixed reactions
Support and opposition for new labor codes
While some unions have supported the new laws, others have opposed them. A joint statement from 14 trade unions led by the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh on November 22 called the reforms a historic transition toward dignified labor governance. A senior official from the Labor Ministry described the protests as "politically motivated," while the protesting unions argue that the codes do not consider their concerns or propose concrete plans for labor reforms.
Official response
Government defends new labor codes amid protests
A senior official from the Labor Ministry has defended the new codes, saying they provide benefits for workers. The official said they have held numerous meetings with the protesting unions but they remain unwilling to understand these benefits. Most of these unions are affiliated with opposition parties, which has led to accusations of political motivations behind their protests against the labor reforms.