New Labor Code: The government has implemented the new labor law and has also made many major reforms in it. Initially it was being said that it was completely in the interest of the employees, but now many employee organizations have started raising questions on its shortcomings. There are 10 such organizations against the new labor code, which are not considering it in the interest of the employees and are saying that it is more beneficial for the companies. All these organizations will also protest together on 26th November i.e. tomorrow.
Harbhajan Singh, general secretary of one such organization, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, says that the new labor law is not capable of completely protecting the interests of the employees. He said that some provisions of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and provisions like Occupational Safety of Working Conditions Code, 2020 are not in the interest of the employees. There should also be re-appeal and drafting to improve it.
Why are organizations protesting?
Harbhajan Singh says that the provisions in the new labor code related to closure of factories, right to strike and reducing the compliance burden for small enterprises directly impact the lives of workers and their social security. He said that we had told the government about this, but ignoring our concerns, the law has been implemented unilaterally. Hind Mazdoor Sabha is among the 10 trade unions which have called on their members to join the protest against the labor law on 26 November. He said that the implementation of such a code amidst increasing unemployment is completely against the employees.
Many organizations have supported
Even though 10 employee unions including Hind Mazdoor Sabha have opposed the new labor code, many other organizations have also supported this law. These organizations say that the new labor code is a historic and progressive step. He says that the new law is going to implement an aggregate, modern, transparent and labor centric system in place of the old colonial era labor laws. Earlier, 14 trade unions had also issued a joint statement. The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, which led it, had on November 22 described these reforms as historic for dignified labor governance, social security and modern labor system.
On what basis is the labor code being opposed?
On November 21, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Indian National Trade Union Congress, Center of Indian Trade Unions, All India United Trade Union Centre, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, All India Central Council of Trade Unions, Self-Employed Women’s Association, Trade Union Coordination Centre, Labor Progressive Federation and United Trade Union Congress had issued a statement against the new labor law. A member of an employee organization said that under the Industrial Relations Code, factories with more than 300 employees will now have to take prior permission from the government to close or fire employees. Earlier this limit was 100. There are many factories which have less than 300 employees. Now government permission will not be required to expel them. Obviously this provision is not at all in the interest of the employees and workers.
permission had to be taken first
The employee organization said that under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, earlier companies with more than 100 employees had to take permission from the government for closure or layoffs. Now no permission will be required to lock companies with 1 to 299 employees. These companies will also be completely free to change the number of their employees.
Freedom of protest also banned
Another member said that earlier the employees engaged in essential work had to give 15 months’ notice and then go on strike. Now the notice period for all types of employees has been increased to 60 days, due to which the freedom to protest has also been taken away. He alleged that the purpose of the new labor code is to make it easier for employers to do business, and not to make life easier for employees. All the 10 organizations opposing the code have condemned it and termed it as snatching away the rights of employees.
