State will not take anti-worker position, says Minister on new Labour Codes

Kerala will not adopt an anti-worker stance while implementing the new Labour Codes, Minister for Labour V. Sivankutty has said.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, the Minister said the government was closely scrutinising the four Labour Codes notified by the Union government on Friday. “The State government will not allow any move that weakens the State’s labour relations and trade union rights,” he said.

Simplification of labour laws should aid creation of an industry-friendly environment. They should help improve workers’ living standards. The government would emphasise better wages, health security, social security coverage, and dignified labour conditions, he said.

The Minister said talks would be held with prominent trade unions and industry representatives on framing State rules for the new Labour Codes. Provisions would be made in the rules to ensure that current or new laws would not adversely affect labour rights or social security of the workers in the State.

The government, he underlined, was committed to ensuring that every worker in the State was protected.