CITU stages protest against new Labour Codes

Activists of the Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), led by district president MB Sajjan, held a demonstration at SVP Chowk in Kalaburagi on Tuesday opposing the implementation of the new Labor Laws enacted by the Union government.

Protesters burned copies of the Labor Code and chanted slogans condemning the Centre’s decision to implement the four Labor Codes after finalizing the rules earlier this month.

Addressing the protesters, Mr. Sajjan said the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Center had ignored the objections raised by unions and workers’ organizations while framing the Labor Code rules.

“New labor laws will undermine hard-won workers’ rights that have been secured through decades of struggles by workers across the country,” he said.

Agitating activists said the Labor Laws were designed in favor of local and foreign corporate interests and would negatively affect job security, union rights and employment opportunities for the young generation.

They said workers across the country have consistently opposed the Labor Code through protests and strikes, including the nationwide general strike on February 12 this year.

Despite this, the Center continued with the practice, they said.

“This move is anti-worker. The state government should not enforce the Labor Laws. We appeal to the state government to protect the interests of workers in line with the federal principles enshrined in the Constitution,” Mr. Sajjan said.

The protest was organized as part of a nationwide call by CITU to hold demonstrations and burn copies of the Labor Laws in district headquarters and workplaces across the country.

Among those present were Shanta Ghanti, Gouramma Patil, Shrimanth Biradar and Nagappa Raichurkar.