The labor movement seems to have suffered in the neoliberal economic era over the past few years, when the Karnataka government and the Center have been chasing corporates to induce investment. Labor rights, hard won over a century of struggle, have suffered. Considering that the Center released the draft National Labor Policy or Shram Shakti Niti-2025 in October. The Hindu spoke to All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur on state and national level labor issues during her visit to Bengaluru.
What do you think of Shram Shakti Niti draft?
The Narendra Modi-led government did not consult any trade union, as was the case before drafting four labor codes comprising 29 labor laws. The whole concept is retrograde and dangerous. Unions have been pushing for the convening of an Indian labor conference, which has not been held since 2015, in violation of ILO Convention C-144, to discuss pressing labor issues.
Can you elaborate on your opposition to this policy?
The Department of Labor, which must act as a regulator, has abandoned its role as a facilitator of business. This policy draws inspiration from Manusmriti, Sukra Niti and Yajnavalkya Niti. Nowhere in the policy document does it talk about labor rights or mention unions. We fear that in the future, the entire economy could shift to daily wage and contract labor.
Are you suggesting that it was particularly difficult to have a dialogue with the NDA government?
There is no scope for delaying decisions and actions in BJP government. On the other hand, the non-RSS/BJP formations are at least listening to popular demands. When you agitate and protest, they listen, think, pause and discuss.
Would you blame the current problems facing unions on the center itself?
The job is in the concurrent list. The Center is playing the game of getting states to implement labor reforms. State governments adopt reforms based on the recommendations of the centre, but the center is not to blame. We believe that states must follow the orders but not necessarily all the advice of the Centre. States fall victim to the competition to attract investment. Political leaders in the states are unable to understand that a good industrial environment cannot be created by suppressing labour. All over the world, business has flourished where labor interests are protected.
Is the labor movement in danger in the country?
Labor law changes are affecting unions faster than ever. Around 90% of India’s workforce is already outside the scope of labor laws. Governments close the door to labor and open the door to investment. Regular employment is declining with the rise of contract and outsourced employment, which is difficult to organize. Although we fear that workers will lose their jobs, we also believe that this is an opportunity to organize the unorganized. It’s an international trend. Unionism actually grew out of a similar situation.
The Communist Party of India (CPI) has endorsed the Congress ahead of the 2023 elections in Karnataka. Is the party happy with the Congress government on labor issues?
Congress is also committed to neoliberal economic policies. She promised to repeal three anti-labour amendments to the Factory Act. She should take steps to repeal amendments that increased working hours from eight to 12, allowed women to work night shifts and increased overtime hours. India is a signatory to International Labor Organization (ILO) Conventions. We expect Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to act. But we also welcome the state government’s progressive measures for female concert workers, the introduction of menstrual leave and the focus on domestic workers.
The Congress government has also not been able to introduce an increase in minimum wages so far.
When the Congress government in Karnataka announced the minimum wage proposal, we held it up as a model. By not ending minimum wages, it sends the wrong signal. Unions will take to the streets to demand what was promised.
