Are the Labour Codes giving more importance to employers and less to employees? Well, many workers and unions across the country seem to think so. There have been protests ever since the enforcement of the four Labour Codes was announced.
Last week, ten central trade unions, the farmers’ body, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, as well as the members of the All India Power Engineers Federation held protests across the country against the four Labour Codes. A joint forum also submitted a memorandum to the President of India stating among other issues that the codes negated workers’ right to protest/strike and made the registration of unions difficult.
Workers from across Karnataka assembled in Bengaluru to demand that the Codes be withdrawn. They also demanded that the contract labour system be abolished and a minimum wage of Rs 42,000 be notified. The state-wide protest was carried out under the aegis of the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU). The workers reportedly fear that the Codes will actually eat into the wages and reduce social security, and that it will not allow workers to unionise. They also fear that the Codes will make the contract labour system stronger.
In Kerala, union leaders have decided to approach the Centre and appeal for withdrawal of the new labour codes. It is reported that the state is organising a Labour Conclave on 19 December where labour ministers from other states who are not in favour of the labour codes will be invited.
It is expected that the conclave will be attended by trade union leaders, policy experts and legal specialists, with the objective of coming up with a joint strategy and to see whether there is a possibility to create labour laws specific to each state.
The labour unions of Bharat Coking Coal (BCCL) recently came together to protest collectively against the labour codes, which they feel do nothing to ensure rights and job security to workers.
Since 28 November 2025, all workers, including permanent and those on contract have been peacefully demonstrating at the entrance gates across BCCL campuses. These demonstrations are expected to go on till 10 December.
In Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu too, the protests against the labour codes saw significant participation, including women workers.