New Labour Codes Favour Capitalists, Threaten Kerala Workers’ Rights: Elamaram Kareem

Thiruvananthapuram: The new labour codes introduced by the central government are aimed at benefiting capitalists, said CITU General Secretary Elamaram Kareem on Wednesday, amid widespread protests across India against the reforms.

Kareem criticised the Modi government for not consulting any labour organisations during the drafting of the reformed codes, alleging that the changes primarily serve the interests of capitalists rather than workers.

“The rights that workers have won through years of struggle and sacrifice, including the right to demand wage hikes, access social security, strike, and protest, are now being criminalised under the new codes,” he said.

He added that while labour rights in India exist on paper, Kerala has maintained a better work environment, attracting a growing number of migrant workers. Kareem warned that the reformed codes could dismantle the protections and labour-friendly work culture Kerala has built over decades.