CITU flags ‘betrayal’ as Karnataka moves to implement Labour Codes, seeks Kharge’s intervention

CITU General Secretary Kareem said that states like Kerala have taken principled positions and are fighting in the forefront for workers’ rights by categorically declaring that it will not implement the Labour Codes in the state.

New Delhi: CITU General Secretary Elamaram Kareem has written to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, telling him that it is "extremely disturbing and unfortunate" that the Congress-led Karnataka government has initiated steps to implement the four "draconian" Labour Codes and urged his intervention to stop it from moving ahead.

In his letter, Kareem recalled that the entire opposition, including the Congress, have been "consistently opposing" the "bulldozing of anti-people legislations" by the BJP-led union government, standing firmly with the working people of the country but the state government has notified draft rules, directly contradicting the united resistance of trade unions and the collective stand of the opposition.

"It is therefore, extremely disturbing and unfortunate that the Congress led Government in Karnataka has initiated steps to implement these draconian Labour Codes," he said claiming that even several BJP-ruled states have not proceeded with framing draft rules.

He said Karnataka government's decision has caused "wide-spread anger, shock, and resentment" among the working class and trade unions across the country even as he maintained that the main demand for the February 12 General strike is withdrawal of the Labour Codes.

He said this move is "against the spirit of opposition unity, undermines the nationwide united struggle of trade unions, and is viewed by the working class as a serious betrayal" of workers' interests across the country.

"In the larger interests of the working class, and to uphold the principled stand taken by the united trade union movement against Labour Codes, we urgently appeal to you to intervene and ensure that the Karnataka Government withdraws or freezes the draft rules notified under the Labour Codes immediately," he said.

"...this is not merely an administrative issue. Rather it is a test of political consistency, credibility, and commitment to the people of India. An urgent corrective action at your end will go a long way in restoring confidence among the working class and reinforcing the unity of the opposition in resisting these anti-worker legislations," he said.

Kareem said that states like Kerala have taken principled positions and are fighting in the forefront for workers’ rights by categorically declaring that it will not implement the Labour Codes in the state.