Kerala will not implement Centre’s Labour Codes, says Minister Sivankutty
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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Labour Minister V Sivankutty on Thursday reaffirmed that the state will not implement the Centre’s Labour Codes, stating that Kerala has clearly communicated its stand to the Union government.
Speaking to reporters here, Sivankutty noted that although most states have moved towards implementing the Labour Codes, Kerala has not taken such steps. He said the Union Labour Ministry had convened a meeting of all states last month, during which Kerala reiterated its position.
Responding to questions on whether the state had yielded to central pressure by preparing draft regulations linked to the codes, the minister rejected the suggestion.
“If we were succumbing to central government pressure, we would have given a letter accepting the codes. We have not done that,” he said.
The draft regulation was notified in Kerala on December 14, 2021. Sivankutty also stressed that the regulations were not prepared secretly.
“It was done openly, and I recommended in the file that public opinion be sought. All further procedures related to it have been stopped. We have not taken any steps regarding it in the last three years. So, there is no need for concern,” he said.
The Union government recently notified all four Labour Codes, pending since 2020, introducing major reforms such as universal social security for gig workers, mandatory appointment letters for all employees, statutory minimum wages, and timely payment across sectors.
On Wednesday, Sivankutty had assured that the state government would never take an anti-worker position while dealing with the new codes. He also announced that a meeting of central trade union representatives would be convened to discuss the codes notified by the Centre.
Labour Department officials added that a proposal to organise a labour conclave in Thiruvananthapuram in the third week of December is currently under consideration.
With PTI inputs