The left-leaning Kerala government has opposed the Centre’s sweeping labour law overhaul, with Labour Minister V Sivankutty reiterating on Thursday that the state will not roll out the four national labour codes.
The renewed assertion comes amid mounting pressure on states to adopt the codes—framed to consolidate 29 central labour laws—but also against the backdrop of widespread worker unrest and concerns over diluted protections.
Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, Sivankutty said Kerala had conveyed its objections at a Union Labour Ministry meeting last month and has no intention of backtracking. “If we were succumbing to central government pressure, we would have given a letter accepting the codes. We have not done that,” he said, dismissing criticism that Kerala’s draft labour rules were prepared to appease New Delhi.
The minister added that the state has been consistent in prioritising worker safeguards over procedural alignment with the Centre. He emphasised that Kerala will not take “any position that harms workers”, underscoring the state’s long-standing policy of extensive social protections and stronger labour rights.
Sivankutty clarified that the draft rules prepared by Kerala—originally issued on December 14, 2021—were framed through an open process, including a plan for public consultation. However, all follow-up work has been stalled since then. “All further procedures have been stopped. We have not taken any steps in the last three years, so there is no need for concern,” he said.
Officials added that there has been zero administrative movement on implementing the codes, and the state sees no urgency to revive the process unless worker interests are fully secured.
The Union government’s labour reforms seek to introduce sweeping changes, including fixed minimum wages across sectors, national-level social security coverage for gig and platform workers, mandatory appointment letters, streamlined compliance, and stricter timelines for salary payments. Trade unions across the country, however, argue that the new framework weakens bargaining power, expands employer flexibility at workers’ expense, and could reduce take-home pay under the new wage formula.
Kerala’s position, therefore, marks one of the strongest challenges to the Centre’s push for uniform labour regulation.
Sivankutty said the state will soon convene a meeting with central trade unions to assess the implications of the labour codes and firm up Kerala’s stand. The Kerala abour department is also considering organising a labour conclave in Thiruvananthapuram in the third week of December to broaden stakeholder engagement and chart the state’s next steps.
