Kerala Declines Implementation of Central Labour Codes: Sivankutty

Thiruvananthapuram: Labour Minister V Sivankutty stated on Thursday that Kerala will not implement the Central Labour Codes in the state. He said that while many other states have moved ahead with the implementation process, Kerala has chosen not to do so.

He explained that during a meeting convened by the Union Labour Ministry last month, Kerala clearly communicated its position and confirmed that it will not adopt the labour codes.

Responding to questions from reporters about whether Kerala had complied with central pressure by preparing draft regulations related to the labour codes, Sivankutty strongly denied it. He said that if the state had been yielding to pressure, it would have formally accepted the codes in writing, which never happened.

The draft regulation was notified in the state on December 14, 2021. The minister clarified that these drafts were not created secretly, but through an open process, and that he himself had recommended seeking public opinion on them. He added that all procedures related to these regulations were stopped, and that no further action has been taken in the last three years. Therefore, he said, there is no cause for concern.

On Wednesday, Sivankutty had also assured that Kerala would not adopt any anti-worker approach while addressing issues linked to the central labour codes. He further announced that representatives of major trade unions will be invited for discussions on the matter.

A proposal to organise a labour conclave in Thiruvananthapuram during the third week of December is under consideration, according to Labour Department officials.