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Kerala Formalises Pushback Against Centre’s Labour Codes With Conclave Resolution and Expert Panel

A three-member committee will deliver a preliminary report within a month, with a state–trade union delegation set to press concerns in New Delhi.

Overview

  • Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the Union’s four labour codes as minimising workers’ rights and privileging corporate interests, urging democratic resistance.
  • A national labour conclave in Thiruvananthapuram unanimously adopted a resolution to continue an uncompromising struggle against provisions it called anti-worker.
  • Kerala appointed Justice V. Gopala Gowda, Professor Shyam Sundar and Varkeychan Petta to study the codes’ impact and recommend remedies, with an initial report due in one month.
  • The state Labour Minister, alongside leaders of central trade unions, will seek a meeting with the Union Labour Minister to contest the codes and press demands.
  • Objections flagged include higher layoff thresholds from 100 to 300 employees, longer working hours, and weakened social security for unorganised, gig and contract workers, with Kerala vowing no anti-worker amendments under its constitutional powers.