Kerala govt to draft new Labour Code rules after trade union consultations

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has set up a committee to consult trade unions on the state’s proposed rules for implementing the Labour Codes, giving the panel 10 days to submit its recommendations before the government takes a final call.

The decision was made at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan at the Secretariat on Thursday. Labour Minister Bindu Krishna and 22 trade union office-bearers attended the discussions.

The committee, to be convened by the Labour Department Secretary, will include the Law Department’s Additional Secretary, seven trade union representatives and Labour Department officials. Its recommendations will be shared with all unions, including those not represented on the panel, which will also be permitted to participate in its meetings.

The government will invite further suggestions on a draft prepared in 2021 before finalising the rules. It also plans to ask the Centre to reduce the threshold determining which establishments and workers fall under certain provisions of the Labour Codes.

Satheesan said the government would consider stakeholders’ concerns and explore options permitted under the law before deciding on implementation. He reiterated that protecting workers’ rights and reducing potential adverse effects would remain priorities.

Participating unions broadly agreed on the need to safeguard workers’ interests. Kerala’s final rules will be drawn up after reviewing the committee’s findings and submissions from trade unions, with the state hoping its framework could offer a model for other states.

With IANS inputs