Central Labour Codes will not be implemented in Kerala: Sivankutty

Kerala Labour Minister V Sivankutty on Thursday made it clear that the Centre’s Labour Codes would not be implemented in the state.
Speaking to reporters here, Sivankutty said that the majority of the states have taken steps to implement the labour codes, but not Kerala.
Later in the day, after a meeting with representatives of various trade unions, the minister said that it has been decided to ask the Centre to withdraw implementation of the labour codes.
Sivankutty said that, in the meeting, a resolution was passed that the Centre was arbitrarily imposing the labour codes without any discussions or understanding the problems of the workers in the country and therefore, the central government will be asked to withdraw it.
Besides that, on December 19, a one-day long Labour Conclave will be held in the state for which invitations have been given to all central trade unions and the labour ministers of all the states.
“We expect the participation of around 100 people. Discussions will be held, during the conclave, on whether the states can make a separate law with regard to the labour codes, what solutions can be found for the issue and labour being a state subject, what interventions the governments can carry out.
“Legal and labour experts will also take part in the conclave and they will also be consulted,” Sivankutty told reporters here.
He further said that the Centre was now asking for names of those people who participated in the nationwide protests on Wednesday against the Labour Codes by wearing black armbands.
Terming it as a move to “intimidate” and “pressurise” workers, the minister said that the Left government will not permit it.
On being asked about the draft regulations prepared by the state in connection with the codes in 2021, the minister said it was a draft and will remain as such.
Sivankutty said that an email would be sent to the Centre seeking withdrawal of the implementation of the codes and later, after the conclave, he would go in person seeking the same.
Earlier in the day, the minister said that the Union Labour Ministry had called a meeting of all the states last month and there, Kerala had clearly indicated its stand that it would not implement the labour codes.
When reporters asked whether the state succumbed to central pressure to prepare the draft regulations linked to the labour codes, he denied it.
“If we were succumbing to central government pressure, we would have given a letter accepting the codes. We have not done that,” he said.
The draft regulation was notified in the state on December 14, 2021.
He also asserted that the draft regulations were not prepared in secret.
“It was done openly and I recommended in the file that public opinion be sought regarding it. All further procedures in connection with it have been stopped. We have not taken any steps regarding it in the last three years. So, there is no need to be concerned,” the minister said.
The union government recently notified all four labour codes, pending since 2020, ushering in major reforms, including universal social security coverage for gig workers, mandatory appointment letters for all employees, and statutory minimum wages and timely payment across sectors.
Sivankutty, on Wednesday, had assured that the state government would not adopt an anti-worker stand at any cost while implementing the new labour codes.
He also announced the convening of a meeting of central trade union representatives to discuss matters related to the labour codes notified by the Centre.
A proposal to organise a labour conclave in Thiruvananthapuram during the third week of December is under consideration, according to Labour Department officials.