India’s new labour codes explained: Why are trade unions upset?
Venkatesh B. Athreya speaks to us about what the four new labour codes change, why trade unions are protesting them, and what the codes mean in practice.
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Show Notes
On the 21st of November, the government of India has brought in 4 labour codes to reform and replace the 29 existing laws in the country
They are Code on Wages, Code on Industrial Relations, Code on Social Security and Code on Occupation Safety, Health and working conditions.
The government is touting these labour codes as India’s biggest labour reforms—brought in nearly eight decades after Independence and over five years it was passed in the parliament.
These codes seek to ease work regulations, expand social security, and bring greater uniformity to wage structures.
However, on 26th November, the Left parties in the country took to the streets to protest these reforms citing them as “anti-labour”.
So, why are the left parties opposing these reforms? What are the changes brought by the four labour codes and how do they reshape the future of labour in India?
Guest: Venkatesh B. Athreya, economist, and former head of department, Bharathidhasan University
Host: Bhagavathi Sampath K J
Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian
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