CITU protests Centre’s unilateral implementation of anti-worker labour codes

Thiruvananthapuram: The Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on Thursday criticised the Union government’s unilateral implementation of four labour codes, describing the move as “anti-worker” and clearly favouring corporate interests.

CITU General Secretary Elamaram Kareem said the BJP-led government had been attempting since 2020 to consolidate 29 labour laws into four codes under the guise of “ease of doing business.”

Despite sustained protests, three national strikes, and the mobilisation of over 25 crore workers alongside farmer organisations, the government issued a notification on 21 November implementing the codes without consulting trade unions.

Kareem added that the details of the new labour codes were under review and called for urgent, widespread protests across Kerala and the country. He urged all workers and trade unions to join the nationwide opposition.