Eeshna Dashottar, Pune
On September 22, 2024, Indian workers in several parts of the country like New Delhi, Lucknow, and Kolkata protested in large numbers demanding the repeal of four labour codes.
The demand comes with the workers’ belief that these labour codes favour the MNCs more than their requirements.
The central government introduced the four new labour codes as a replacement for the pre-existing 44 laws in 2019 and 2020 to upgrade the existing systems from the British Raj and to address the difficulties of Indian workers. These four codes include the Wage Code (2019), the Social Security Code (2020), the Occupational, Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020) and the Industrial Relations Code (2020). Prime Minister Narendra Modi had mentioned that these steps help bring industry and labour at the same level.
September 23 was observed as a ‘black day’ by the protesters. The workers came to the streets and raised their voices against the central government over the four labour codes. Around 10 unions took charge of organising protests in New Delhi itself. Vidya Sagar Giri, the national vice president of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) spoke to Reuters and pointed out how BJP went ahead with the labour laws despite objections from the union and opposition.
One of the union leaders also viewed this move by the central government as a way to appease the multinational corporations by reducing wages of the labourers within the country for larger profits and increased productivity. Amarjeet Kaur, the general secretary of AITUC also told Reuters about how these steps by the government can be considered a violation of human rights and global practices.
This protest is happening parallel to the ongoing labour strike at the Samsung plant in South India. With woes over low wages, labourers at Samsung began to strike due to this issue. With the ongoing protests across the country, proper implementation of these four labour laws is halted.
Farmers’ unions have come to support the labour protests, threatening to go on a strike in November if the centre moves ahead with implementing the laws. As the demand increases for the repeal of the four labour codes in several parts of India, it is yet to be seen how the central government will take this matter forward.