Overview
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday warned the new labour regime will enable hire-and-fire policies, expand contract work, and narrow space for unions.
- Kharge accused the government of waiting until state elections ended to issue the gazette notifications on May 8–9 to avoid public scrutiny.
- The May 8–9 rules made four labour codes fully operational nationwide, replacing 29 laws with new frameworks on wages, industrial relations, social security, and workplace safety.
- The Centre says the overhaul simplifies and modernises compliance to improve ease of doing business while ensuring worker welfare.
- Positioning an alternative, Kharge promoted Congress’s Shramik Nyay plan with a Rs 400 daily minimum wage, an urban MGNREGA, a Right to Health with Rs 25 lakh cover, broader social security for informal workers, and limits on contract roles in core government functions.