Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 27: The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), J&K today opposed the four new labour codes, terming them anti-labour and pro-corporate.
Scores of workers under the banner of CITU assembled at Sher-e-Kashmir Park here and staged a protest, raising slogans against the Government’s policies.
Click here to watch video
The workers said the new labour framework undermines workers’ rights and weakens long-standing legal safeguards in favour of corporate interests.
Addressing the gathering, CITU J&K secretary, Abdul Rashid Pandit said that 29 pro-labour laws have been reduced to four labour codes.
He alleged that the move has diluted job security, wages and social protection for workers.
Pandit urged the Government to withdraw the labour codes and restore labour laws that protect the rights and interests of the working class.
He said hard-earned rights achieved after prolonged struggles and sacrifices by workers “have been watered down following the implementation of the four labour codes,” and called upon trade unions to launch a sustained struggle for their revocation.
Senior CITU leader Abdul Rashid Najjar said the new labour codes have curtailed collective bargaining, made hiring and firing easier for employers, and weakened Trade Union Rights.
He alleged that the framework promotes contract labour and informalisation while reducing employers’ accountability towards workers’ welfare, safety and social security.
He added that the Labour Codes were framed without adequate consultation with trade unions and were imposed to serve corporate interests at the cost of workers’ livelihoods.
CITU State Committee members Haneefa Mir and Dilshada Malik demanded implementation of minimum wages and sought coverage of scheme workers, unorganised sector workers and construction workers under social security provisions, including pensionary benefits.
President of the Daily Wagers Union and EJAC leader Sajad Parray demanded regularisation of all casual, daily-wage and other temporary workers.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
