Kerala has taken a firm stand against the Centre’s newly introduced Labour Codes, with Labour Minister V. Sivankutty announcing that the State will officially urge the Union Government to withdraw the laws. The Minister, accompanied by representatives of major trade unions, will soon meet the Union Labour Minister in New Delhi to convey Kerala’s position.
Sivankutty said the Labour Codes were implemented “without adequate consultation” and are widely viewed as anti-worker, diluting long-established labour protections. At a high-level meeting convened by the State Labour Department, all trade unions unanimously voiced strong opposition, calling the Codes detrimental to workers’ rights and job security.
Kerala has already clarified that it will not implement the four Labour Codes, becoming one of the strongest voices of resistance among Indian states. The government is also exploring the possibility of drafting state-specific labour laws to safeguard worker welfare.
The State is preparing to host a major Labour Conclave on December 19, where several states and national trade unions are expected to discuss joint action and a united approach against the new labour laws.
