The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee on Monday criticised the Centre over the implementation of the new Labour Code, alleging that the policy is anti-worker and detrimental to labourers, farmers, and unemployed youth across the country.

Addressing a press conference, TPCC spokesperson Prabir Chakraborty alleged that the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah favour a small section of wealthy individuals while pushing the majority of citizens towards economic insecurity and dependence on government support.

Chakraborty claimed that the Central Government enforced the Labour Code rules on May 8, 2026, after the completion of elections in five states. He further alleged that although the Labour Code Bills were passed in Parliament during 2019-20 and formally notified on December 21, 2025, the publication of draft rules was delayed due to the Bihar Assembly elections.

According to the Congress leader, several provisions of the Labour Code could weaken workers’ rights by reducing wage protections, easing retrenchment norms for establishments employing fewer than 300 workers, and granting employers greater discretion over compensation and workplace safety matters. He also alleged that provisions resembling Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita have been incorporated into the Labour Code framework, which he described as restrictive towards labour movements.

Calling the Labour Code a “black law,” Chakraborty said the Congress had opposed it from the beginning and would continue demanding its withdrawal in the interest of workers nationwide.

The Tripura Congress also urged the state government to use powers available under the Concurrent List of the Constitution to amend the Labour Code at the state level and introduce safeguards for labourers and common citizens.

Highlighting Tripura’s economic condition, Chakraborty alleged that unemployment and financial hardship are rising due to a lack of government recruitment and what he termed anti-people policies of the Centre. Referring to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, he claimed that workers in the state received only 40 days of employment during the last month.

The Congress demanded immediate withdrawal of the Labour Code and called upon the Tripura Government to take effective measures to protect the interests of workers and ordinary citizens in the state.