IGMC contract staff protest against labour codes in Shimla

The IGMC Contract Workers under the banner of the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) today staged a protest against the Central Government for notifying the four labour codes and demanded their immediate withdrawal. The Sunni Dam Hydroelectric Project Workers also staged a protest at Sunni in Shimla.

The protesting workers burnt the copies of the labour codes and demanded that the old labour laws be restored and, if required, be scientifically amended in the interest of workers. They also demanded that any labour reform should be implemented only after having discussions at all representative forums, including the Indian Labour Conference.

The union leaders termed the decision to implement the labour codes as anti-worker and pro-capitalist. They said that the labour codes would weaken the democratic rights, safety, wages and social security of the workers. They added that the labour codes were an attempt to facilitate capitalists. “These labour codes will increase the burden of contractual and temporary employment on workers in both organised and unorganised sectors, make trade union activities more difficult while narrowing the concept of labour welfare,” they alleged.

“Central trade unions have repeatedly held nationwide strikes and protests against the implementation of these codes. However, the government ignored their concerns and implemented the codes, which clearly shows political bias against workers. These four labour codes is an attack on workers as these promote job insecurity, low wages and weaken social security,” the protesters alleged.