Minister V. Shivankutty: Kerala Will Not Implement Anti-Worker Provisions in Labor Codes

Thiruvananthapuram: Minister V. Shivankutty has stated that he will stand firm in his declaration that Kerala will not implement the anti-worker provisions in the labor code. The Justice Gopal Gowda Committee has made it clear that the state can create its own legislation in relation to the central law.

The government has begun initiating proceedings under the Code on Wages (2019) regarding minimum wage revisions in the private health sector. The actions initiated under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, have been preliminarily observed by the High Court as invalid with the introduction of the new central law. As per the court's order, a one-month stay has been granted on actions taken under the old law.

However, the court has clarified that this order does not hinder the determination of minimum wages under the Code on Wages. Based on decisions made in the meeting held on December 27, 2025, the government is committed to expediting the process of increasing employee wages. While safeguarding the interests of workers, necessary instructions have been provided to the Labor Commissioner to implement the minimum wage law with legal accuracy.

The minister also stated that the government intends to move forward using the state's authority in a manner that ensures fair wages while avoiding anti-worker provisions.