Trade unions will together force Centre to withdraw the four Labour Codes: G. Ramakrishnan

Trade unions across the country will together prevent implementation of the four “enslaving” Labour Codes of the Central government that took effect on November 21, G. Ramakrishnan, Politburo Member, CPI(M) Central Committee, said in Tiruppur on Monday.

The Labour Codes have negated several decades of the struggle for welfare of the working class, Mr. Ramakrishnan told mediapersons.

The Labour Codes pander to the machinations of employers looking to institutionalise “hire and fire” policy with nil accountability. All trade unions will, through sustained protests, will force the Centre to withdraw the Labour Codes akin to the repeal of three farm laws, Mr. Ramakrishnan said.

The senior CPI(M) leader sought to know how the Labour Codes be enforced without convening the Indian Labour Conference involving tripartite participation of the Government, trade unions and the employers. The conference has not been convened for a decade, he pointed out

Replacement of the various labour laws that hitherto provided safeguards to workers will affect the small and MSME sectors that account for a majority of the labourers the most. The Centre owes an explanation on what it intends to do with the ₹38,000 crore collected as construction board workers’ Welfare cess.

On the Thirupparankundram Deepam row, Mr. Ramakrishnan said the ruling of a single judge cannot prevail over what had already been decided by a Division Bench. Only a larger Division Bench is empowered to overrule.

To a query on seat-sharing with the DMK, Mr. Ramakrishnan, while confirming that the party had already discussed the need for seeking more seats, added that the specifics will be made known at the time of talks.