Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has decided to constitute a special committee to thoroughly examine various issues and concerns raised by workers’ organisations regarding the implementation of the Labour Codes in the state. The committee will include representatives of trade unions and officials from the departments concerned. It has been directed to submit a detailed report, along with necessary recommendations, within 10 days of its formation. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan at the Secretariat.
The meeting, held in the presence of Labour Minister Bindu Krishna, was attended by 22 office-bearers representing various trade unions. Discussions primarily focused on measures required to safeguard workers’ rights and ensure employment security while implementing the Labour Codes introduced by the Central Government. Trade union representatives also raised concerns about the potential impact of the new legal provisions on workers and the employment sector.
The special committee’s primary responsibility will be to prepare practical recommendations for framing state-level rules under the Labour Codes. The Labour Department Secretary will serve as the convener, while the Additional Secretary of the Law Department will be a member. The committee will also include seven representatives from various trade unions and officials from the Labour Department. It will prepare its report after carefully examining existing legal provisions and the demands raised by workers’ organisations.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan made it clear during the meeting that the government would take a final decision on implementing the Labour Codes only after hearing the views and suggestions of all stakeholders and examining demands that could be legally accommodated. He said the government would prioritise protecting workers’ rights and minimising the possible adverse consequences of the new labour laws.
The Chief Minister stated that the government would take all possible measures within the existing legal framework to safeguard workers’ interests. He emphasised that the labour rules formulated by Kerala should serve as a model for other states across the country. He also stressed the importance of creating conditions for the practical implementation of the laws while ensuring workers’ rights and employment security.
The meeting also discussed concerns regarding the employee thresholds prescribed under the Labour Codes. It was decided to bring to the Central Government’s attention the issues arising from the minimum number of employees required for certain legal provisions to become applicable. The state government will also request the Centre to reduce the existing thresholds.
The Chief Minister assured trade union representatives that the state government remained committed to protecting the rights and interests of workers and would take all necessary steps in this regard.
The Chief Minister also explained the importance of implementing the Labour Codes and the legal circumstances surrounding their introduction. Workers’ organisations will be given an opportunity to propose necessary changes and amendments to the draft rules prepared in 2021.
Trade unions will be able to identify provisions that could adversely affect workers’ interests and bring practical difficulties associated with their implementation to the government’s attention.
The draft recommendations prepared by the special committee will be circulated among all trade unions. The organisations will have an opportunity to examine the proposals and submit their opinions and suggestions.
Arrangements will also be made for other workers’ organisations that do not have direct representation on the committee to participate in its sittings and present their views and recommendations.
Through this process, the government aims to ensure the widest possible participation of trade unions in framing the rules associated with the Labour Codes.
All trade unions that participated in the meeting expressed a common position on the need to protect workers’ rights and interests. Their representatives demanded that existing legal protections available to workers should not be weakened or withdrawn during the implementation of the Labour Codes. They also urged the government to address the concerns raised by workers’ organisations.
The state government will prepare the final rules under the Labour Codes only after thoroughly examining the report submitted by the special committee and the recommendations put forward by trade unions.
The government intends to publish the final rules after considering the opinions of various stakeholders and completing the necessary legal procedures.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan reiterated that the state government would adopt a comprehensive approach to implementing the Labour Codes, with workers’ rights and interests remaining its foremost priority.
He assured the representatives that discussions with workers’ organisations would continue and that necessary measures would be taken to address their concerns.
The government aims to establish a framework for implementing the Labour Codes that balances legal requirements with the protection of workers’ rights, employment security and the broader interests of the state’s workforce.
