Overview
- India implemented four consolidated labour codes on November 21, replacing 29 legacy laws covering wages, industrial relations, social security, and workplace safety.
- A coalition of 10 central trade unions with farmer and sectoral groups held coordinated demonstrations across hundreds of districts and rallied at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
- Unions argue the codes make layoffs easier by raising the permission threshold from 100 to 300 employees, curb strikes and union registration, shift disputes to tribunals, and dilute on-site inspections.
- The government says the overhaul modernizes compliance, mandates appointment letters and minimum wages, expands social protections to gig and informal workers, improves safety norms, and allows women to work night shifts with safeguards.
- Kerala’s Left government publicly opposed adopting state rules, called an emergency meeting with unions, and announced a national labour conclave, as union leaders there explored legal options to resist the rollout.