Kerala Forms Special Committee With Trade Unions to Draft Labour Code Rules

Overview

• The Satheesan government convened a meeting with Labour Minister Bindu Krishna and 22 trade-union office-bearers that on Thursday set up a special committee to examine implementation of the central Labour Codes.
• The panel is convened by the Labour Department Secretary, includes the Law Department Additional Secretary, seven trade-union representatives and Labour Department officials, and must submit practical recommendations within ten days.
• The committee will circulate its draft to all trade unions, allow unions not on the panel to attend sittings and present views, and reopen a 2021 draft for suggested amendments before finalising rules.
• Kerala will formally raise with the Central government concerns about the Labour Codes' applicability threshold and urge a lower limit so fewer workers lose protections under the new law.
• If adopted, the state’s rules aim to limit harm to workers while staying within legal bounds and the government says it wants Kerala’s approach to serve as a model other states can follow.