The Kerala government organised the National Labour Conclave in Thiruvananthapuram on December 19 to formulate an alternative policy that protects the rights of the state and its workers from the four labour codes implemented by the Centre. The conclave decided to constitute a three-member expert committee to study the labour codes, understand their implications for workers in Kerala, and suggest remedial measures. Justice (retired) Gopala Gowda, Shyam Sundar and Varkiachan Pettah will be part of the committee, besides two research scholars. The committee will submit a preliminary report within one month.

The conclave passed a resolution to wage an uncompromising struggle against these central laws that take away the fundamental rights of workers. The meet came to the conclusion that the four labour codes do not protect the interests of workers. Instead, they safeguard corporate interests. They are contrary to the conventions of the International Labour Organization. After 2015, without convening the Indian Labour Conference and without adequate discussions with trade unions, these laws were imposed. While most states in the country have amended their laws in favour of the labour codes, Kerala stands firm in its position that no anti-worker amendments will be made. Since labour is a subject included in the Concurrent List of the Constitution, the government will use its constitutional powers to protect the rights of workers in the state.

The conclave expressed concerns that allowing the extension of working hours beyond the standard eight hours up to 12 hours will lead to labour exploitation. Through fixed-term employment, the very concept of job security is eliminated. The new laws weaken the right to strike and the right to organise. The new codes fail to ensure social security for most workers in the unorganised sector, including gig workers.

The conclave decided that the Kerala labour minister, along with representatives of central trade unions, will meet the Union labour minister and flag the anti-worker nature of the labour codes. Kerala will take the lead at the national level in raising workers’ demands and building pressure. Kerala will continue to remain a model for India in protecting workers’ rights. As part of the conclave, two technical sessions were conducted. The first session focused on the implications of the codes, with special reference to Kerala. The topic of the second session was alternative strategies to address adverse implications of labour codes in the context of Kerala’s labour policy.