By Kavita Mistry 
India witnessed coordinated protests across multiple states on Wednesday as trade unions mobilised workers against the government’s newly implemented labour codes. Demonstrations took place in Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and New Delhi, marking the beginning of what unions say will be a long-term agitation to stop the changes they view as harmful to worker rights.
While banks and financial markets continued operating normally, union participation was strong in public-sector units, transport, coal mining, textiles and auto hubs — signalling widespread dissatisfaction within core industrial sectors.
Why Unions Oppose the New Labour Codes
Ten major trade unions, many aligned with opposition parties, have criticised the four new labour codes as “anti-worker” and “pro-employer.” Their biggest concerns include:
- Weakened job security: Employers with up to 300 workers can now lay off employees without prior government approval.
- Recognition of fixed-term contracts: Unions argue this promotes temporary and unstable employment.
- Reduced scope for collective bargaining: The codes consolidate 29 existing laws but are seen as diluting negotiation power for organised labour.
- Insufficient consultation: Unions say the government rushed the reforms without meaningful stakeholder discussions.
At a rally in Kerala’s Kozhikode, Joint Trade Union State Committee convenor Elamaram Kareem vowed to continue protests until the codes are withdrawn entirely.
Government Defends the Overhaul
The Centre maintains the reforms represent the biggest modernisation of labour laws in decades. According to the government, the new codes will:
- Create a national minimum wage
- Extend social security benefits to gig and platform workers
- Simplify compliance for businesses
- Improve ease of doing business and attract investment
Officials emphasise that worker protections are being strengthened, not weakened, and that feedback from stakeholders remains welcome as states begin framing their own rules.
Implementation Depends on States
Though the codes came into force on Friday, full implementation depends on how quickly states notify and enforce corresponding rules. Some opposition-led states, such as Kerala and Karnataka, have already stated they will delay implementation pending further consultations with unions.
As protests intensify, India’s biggest labour reform in decades faces a contentious path ahead — one that pits government promises of modernisation against widespread fears of reduced job security and worker rights.