Indian Trade Unions Stage Nationwide Protests Against New Labor Codes
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\nA coalition of 10 major Indian trade unions held coordinated protests across the country on Wednesday, denouncing the government\u2019s rollout of new labor codes as a \u201cdeceptive fraud\u201d that undermines worker protections, Arab News reported.<\/p>\n
The demonstrations, involving unions representing millions of laborers and farmers, marked the first major labor action since the codes came into force last week and highlighted intensifying tensions over India\u2019s economic reform trajectory.<\/p>\n
Union leaders argued the new framework weakens job security, restricts collective bargaining and increases employer power at a time of heightened economic uncertainty. Tapan Sen, general secretary of the Center of Indian Trade Unions, said workers\u2019 rights were being \u201cbulldozed,\u201d accusing the government of misleading the public about the supposed benefits.<\/p>\n
The four labor codes \u2014 governing wages, industrial relations, social security and occupational safety \u2014 replace 29 existing laws. Officials say the consolidation simplifies compliance, expands social protections and modernizes India\u2019s labor system. The government highlights measures such as mandatory appointment letters, fixed salary payment schedules, extended social security for gig workers, and equal benefits for fixed-term employees, including maternity and leave entitlements. Women may now work night shifts with employer-provided security.<\/p>\n
Unions, however, say implementation has exposed structural imbalances. They point to eased layoff rules for larger firms, expanded fixed-term employment, and stricter requirements for forming unions or calling strikes. Amarjeet Kaur, general secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress, said the reforms risk returning workers to a \u201ccolonial era\u201d where organizing was severely restricted.<\/p>\n
The government has not formally commented on Wednesday\u2019s protests, though it has consistently defended the codes as essential for attracting investment and expanding formal employment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Indian Trade Unions Stage Nationwide Protests Against New Labor Codes ——————————— A coalition of 10 major Indian trade unions held coordinated protests across the country on Wednesday, denouncing the government\u2019s rollout of new labor codes as a \u201cdeceptive fraud\u201d that undermines worker protections, Arab News reported. The demonstrations, involving unions representing millions of laborers and …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":137334,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_108372464460192_245495985553329":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[2929],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-137335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-india"],"yoast_head":"\n