Joint statement issued by the central trade unions

Joint statement issued by the central trade unions after the discussion with the Union Labour Ministry on the labour codes on January 20, 2021.

The joint platform of central trade unions totally rejects the central government's move to frame rules under the 4 labour codes. The 4 labour codes themselves were passed in Parliament in violation of all parliamentary procedures. The central government got these codes passed while opposition members were boycotting Parliament in protest against the suspension of some members. Some MPs had asked in writing that these codes, which affect more than 50 crore workers, not be passed in Parliament without serious discussion. Ignoring all that, the central government passed the 4 labour codes in Parliament.

So in the discussion on the rules under the labour codes held on January 20, the central trade unions made the following clear.

1) The central trade unions had already rejected all 4 labour codes. In that situation, they cannot take part in a discussion on the rules now being framed under them.

2) The proposals on the 4 labour codes were published for public comment without consulting the central trade unions or any participation by them, which is against all procedure. Moreover, the central government did not consider any of the suggestions the central trade unions made on this.

3) On top of all this, the labour codes approved by the cabinet and passed by throwing all parliamentary procedure to the winds are completely different from the draft laws published for public comment.

4) The central government also rejected all the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee (Labour) on the labour codes.

5) The central government gives no seriousness to bipartite or tripartite discussions under ILO conventions. Giving in to the insistence of corporates and employers, the government is trying to implement the labour codes at speed.

Implementation of all 4 labour codes now passed must be put on hold, and detailed bipartite and tripartite discussions held with the central trade unions on each labour code. The present discussion is only a farce to cover up the government's moves. The central trade unions also registered strong protest against the Indian Labour Conference not having been held for the last 5 years.