Congress Attacks Centre's New Labour Codes as Greatest Setback for Workers' Rights Since Independence
Congress attacks new labour codes as anti-worker setbacks.
The Indian National Congress on Monday launched a sharp attack on the centre over the implementation of the four new labour codes, calling them the “greatest setback for workers’ rights since Independence". Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of introducing what he described as “anti-worker” reforms without proper consultation and alleged that the move would weaken labour protections across the country.
In a statement issued after the Centre notified the final rules for implementing the four labour codes, Kharge claimed that the government deliberately waited until the conclusion of assembly elections before moving ahead with the notifications on May 8 and 9. He alleged that the reforms would promote “hire-and-fire” policies, expand contract employment, and reduce opportunities for labour union activities, affecting crores of workers employed across different sectors of the economy.
The four labour codes were introduced by the Centre as part of a broader effort to consolidate and simplify India’s labour laws. The reforms combine multiple existing labour legislations into four comprehensive codes covering wages, industrial relations, occupational safety, and social security. The government has maintained that the changes are aimed at improving ease of doing business, reducing legal complexity, and creating a more flexible labour environment to encourage investment and job creation.
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However, opposition parties and several labour organisations have consistently criticised the reforms, arguing that they weaken worker protections and favour large corporations. Kharge alleged that the government failed to hold meaningful discussions with labour representatives before finalising the rules. He also pointed out that the Indian Labour Conference has reportedly not been convened since 2015, claiming this reflected the government’s lack of engagement with workers and trade unions on major policy matters.
The Congress leader further accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of prioritising the interests of industrialists over those of ordinary workers. According to Kharge, the new labour framework could increase job insecurity by making it easier for companies to hire workers on temporary contracts and reduce the influence of organised labour movements. He said the Congress remained committed to protecting labour rights and ensuring social and economic security for workers.
The centre has not yet responded in detail to the latest criticism from the opposition, though the government has previously defended the labour codes as necessary economic reforms designed to modernise India’s labour ecosystem. With the rules now formally notified, implementation of the codes is expected to become a major political and economic issue, drawing close attention from trade unions, employers, opposition parties, and workers across the country in the coming months.
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