NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi’s endorsement of the four labour codes Friday drew clear political fault lines, with govt projecting them as long-pending reforms while trade unions and Left parties warned of erosion of worker protections.Modi called the codes a significant step in overhauling India’s labour framework, stating: “Shramev Jayate! Today, our govt has given effect to the Four Labo-ur Codes. It is one of the most comprehensive and progressive labour-oriented reforms since Independence. It greatly empowers our workers. It also significantly simplifies compliance and promotes ‘Ease of Doing Business’.”He said the changes would provide “universal social security, minimum and timely payment of wages, safe workplaces and remunerative opportunities… especially Nari Shakti and Yuva Shakti” and help “accelerate our journey towards a Viksit Bharat”.Opposition parties and trade unions issued strong criticism. CPI(ML) Liberation in a statement said the four codes “though presented in the name of ‘labour reform,’ are essentially tools that codify modern slavery and exploitation for the benefit and profiteering of big businesses and corporate interests.”Demanding their immediate withdrawal, the Left party said the codes “drastically dilute industrial safety compliance, wage and welfare requirements” and raise thresholds in ways that reduce protections for a large section of workers. It called for public support for the Day of Resistance and Defiance on Nov 26, announced by central trade unions and Samyukt Kisan Morcha.A joint platform of 10 central trade unions, including INTUC, AITUC, HMS and CITU and SEWA, called the codes “deceptive fraud” on the working people and gave a call for a nationwide “combative resistance and defiance” on Nov 26. RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, however, termed the reforms “historical and revolutionary”. Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the codes ensure “the guarantee of minimum wages on time… guarantee of social security for 40 crore workers… guarantee of gratuity for fixed-term employees after one year… and 100% health security for workers in hazardous sectors.”External affairs minister S Jaishankar said on social media that “implementation of the four Labour Codes will empower India’s workers by providing them with better wages, social security, safe working conditions and equal opportunities… The historic decision will boost investm-ent, enable ease of doing business and make India’s workforce a partner in the journey towards #ViksitBharat.” BJP described the rollout as a structural update to labour governance, saying: “India is transforming its labour landscape through simplified compliance, universal ESIC coverage, formalised employment, and a statutory right to minimum wages.”
