Kharge alleges Labour Codes timed after polls to push ‘anti-worker’ reforms

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday accused the Narendra Modi government of deliberately delaying the notification of the four labour codes until after the completion of Assembly elections, alleging that the move exposed the Centre’s “anti-worker” approach.

‎In a statement, Kharge claimed that the labour codes would weaken labour protections and open the door to insecure employment practices affecting millions of workers across the country.

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‎“In its typical cowardly fashion, the Modi Government waited for the assembly elections to conclude before notifying the four anti-worker labour codes through a series of gazette notifications on 8th and 9th May 2026,” he said.

‎The Congress chief alleged that the new framework would encourage “hire-and-fire policies, contract employment, and limited space for unionisation,” which he said would adversely impact workers in both organised and unorganised sectors.

Questioning the consultation process behind the reforms, Kharge said the Centre had failed to engage with trade unions and labour representatives before implementing the codes.

‎“It is important to note that the Modi Government drafted and implemented these anti-worker codes without any consultation. It has not even convened the Indian Labour Conference since 2015,” he alleged.

‎Targeting the BJP-led government over its economic policies, the senior Congress leader claimed the labour reforms primarily benefited large corporate interests. “These codes, which benefit only the PM’s industrialist friends, are the greatest setback for workers’ rights since independence,” he said.

‎Kharge also reiterated the Congress party’s “Shramik Nyay” agenda, saying the party remained committed to expanding labour welfare and strengthening social security measures for workers.

‎Among the proposals highlighted by him were the restoration and extension of MGNREGA to urban areas, a national minimum wage of Rs 400 per day including for MGNREGA workers, and a Right to Health law providing universal health coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh.

‎He further promised comprehensive social security for unorganised workers, including life and accident insurance, and said the Congress would work to halt contractualisation in core government functions while reviewing changes made to labour laws under the Modi government.

‎The four labour codes – on wages, industrial relations, occupational safety, and social security – were passed by Parliament between 2019 and 2020 with the stated aim of consolidating and simplifying 29 central labour laws.

The reforms, however, have faced sustained criticism from opposition parties and trade unions, which argue that the measures dilute workers’ rights and weaken collective bargaining protections.