A mass sit-in demonstration was organised today in front of the Labour Department office on Office Lane on the initiative of the State Committee of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), demanding the repeal of the “anti-worker and destructive” labour codes enacted by the Central Government.

The protest was attended by former Member of Parliament Shankar Prasad Dutta, former Power Minister Manik Dey, state and district-level leaders of CITU, and representatives of various trade unions. The programme became significant due to the participation of a large number of workers and employees.

Addressing the gathering, former MP Shankar Prasad Dutta alleged that the four labour codes implemented by the Central Government severely curtail workers’ rights. 

He said the new laws undermine job security, minimum wages, social security benefits, and trade union rights, while providing unilateral advantages to employers and corporates. According to him, the labour codes would intensify exploitation of workers and weaken their collective bargaining power.

Dutta further stated that the Central Government enforced the new labour codes on November 21, claiming the decision was taken entirely in the interest of corporates. He alleged that nearly 90 percent of the country’s population would remain outside the purview of these laws, making them detrimental to the interests of unemployed youth, senior citizens, and farmers.

He also claimed that following nationwide farmers’ movements, the Central Government scrapped 29 existing labour laws and replaced them with four “anti-labour” codes. 

As a result, the mandatory eight-hour workday could be extended to 12 hours, while social security benefits such as provident fund and gratuity have been rendered uncertain.

CITU leaders at the protest demanded the immediate repeal of the labour codes and the restoration of the earlier labour laws to safeguard workers’ interests. They also urged the Central Government to take effective steps to ensure fair wages, job security, and comprehensive social security for workers.

The CITU State Committee announced that sustained movements would continue in the coming days demanding the withdrawal of the labour codes, and that the struggle would go on until the rights of the working people are fully secured.