An expert committee has recommended that the state government can enact its own legislation against the Central Government’s Labour Codes, which strip away the fundamental rights of workers. This significant recommendation is part of a report submitted by a committee chaired by former Supreme Court Justice Gopala Gowda. The state government formed this committee specifically to suggest solutions to the adverse impacts of the new Labour Codes.

Since labour is a subject included in the Concurrent List of the Constitution, the state assembly has full authority to amend labor laws. Amendments can be introduced taking Kerala's unique socio-economic landscape into account. The committee also recommended drafting three new laws for workers in the unorganised sector who currently fall outside the existing legal framework:

A bill to grant permanent status to workers.

A bill to regulate the service conditions of workers in the unorganised sector.

A bill to ensure the welfare of sanitation workers and domestic helps.

Labour Minister V Sivankutty stated that immediate follow-up action will be taken based on the report.

The report was prepared after detailed discussions and meetings with experts in the field of labour law. Other members of the committee included Prof. Shyam Sundar, Varkichan Petta, and legal experts Gayatri Singh, Adv. Maitreyi Krishnan, Prof. Babu Mathew, Colin Gonsalves, Chander Uday Singh, and Ravishankar.

Other Recommendations in the Report

Labour Codes must be implemented in a manner that ensures the socio-economic justice envisioned by the Constitution.

The labour protection currently provided through 26 Welfare Fund Boards must be maintained even when the Central Labour Codes are implemented.

Existing benefits received by workers must not be reduced.

"A Significant Step": Minister V Sivankutty

"This is a crucial step toward protecting workers' rights and ensuring social justice. The committee, formed in January, submitted its report within the stipulated timeframe. The report will be handed over to the Chief Minister for further action. Kerala will not implement the anti-worker stances present in the Labor Codes."