Bangalore, May 1 (). Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday criticized the Narendra Modi government in an article on International Labor Day, stressing on raising the voice of workers at workplaces, courts and in the government.
He said, International Labor Day marks the contribution and sacrifice of laborers in building the world today. Today, we remember their long struggle – for fair and equal pay, safe working conditions, and the right to organize and have their voices heard in their workplaces, in the courts, and in government.
Kharge said, governments since independence have protected and empowered the workers, but unfortunately, the Modi government has pushed back the rights of the workers. Their rights are being undermined, whether they work in agriculture, public or private organizations or unorganized urban sector, their voices are not being heard.
The veteran Congress leader said though it is true that more than 40 laws have been introduced since independence, they need to be updated to meet today’s challenges.
However, the Modi government has used this to dilute protections for laborers and usurp the constitutional powers of state governments. The labor codes introduced by the government have four major flaws which make them anti-labour.
First, the codes do not apply to most workers or establishments. For example, establishments employing less than 300 people can close the unit without permission. Contractors employing fewer than 50 people are exempt from workplace safety laws. Provident fund, gratuity, insurance and maternity benefits are not available in small establishments.
Second, if the codes apply to an establishment, the government has more powers to enforce requirements for workplace safety, social security and in the event of layoffs or closures.
Third, the Code makes union formation more difficult. Any strike can be declared illegal without two weeks’ notice. The code significantly weakens the ability to fight for rights by punishing those who support the strike.
Kharge said, fourth and most importantly, the code ignores the major challenges faced by the labourers. How can crores of laborers be helped without any written contract? How can the condition of the workers be improved? A worker struggles when they lose their job or get injured – how can this struggle be reduced? The code is silent on this.
The Congress president said, it is clear that the Modi government sees the labor laws as a major inconvenience. She does not understand that labor laws, when well designed and implemented, are good for both workers and businesses.
He further said, this is the reason why BJP governments in states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh scrapped key labor laws for three years using Covid as an excuse. Despite this, these governments have failed to attract foreign investors in the manufacturing sector.
The Congress president also said that PM Modi and the BJP feel that rebranding the schemes and reversing the laws will help the workers.
He said, I am the son of a laborer, and have led a labor union. I know that much more needs to be done to deal with the real problems facing workers today. The critical first step is to stop ignoring workers in decision-making, and instead revitalize their voices.
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