Shimla, May 12
The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on Tuesday staged a protest in Shimla against the four Labour Codes implemented by the Central Government, alleging that the new laws are anti-worker and aimed at weakening labour rights.
CITU workers gathered outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office and burned copies of the Labour Codes while demanding their immediate withdrawal. Raising slogans against the Centre, the protesters termed the new labour laws a “document of slavery for workers.”
Addressing the gathering, CITU Himachal Pradesh president Vijender Mehra said the four Labour Codes, introduced after replacing 44 existing labour laws, would adversely impact workers across sectors. He alleged that the new provisions are intended to increase working hours from eight to twelve and to give employers greater powers to hire and dismiss workers.
Mehra further claimed that the laws restrict workers’ rights to form unions and organise strikes. He said that, at a time when inflation is rising continuously, labourers are being denied a respectable minimum wage and social security benefits.
The union demanded that the Centre immediately repeal all four Labour Codes and restore earlier labour protections. CITU also sought government employee status for Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, and Mid-Day Meal workers.
Warning of intensified protests in the future, the organisation said it would launch a stronger agitation if the government failed to address the concerns raised by workers’ unions.
