CPI(M) general secretary asks CM to clarify stand on implementation of Labour Codes

CPI(M) leader urges Karnataka CM to oppose controversial Labour Codes, citing concerns over worker rights and corporate interests.

CPI(Marxist) general secretary M.A. Baby asked Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to clarify his stand on the implementation of the Labour Codes proposed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government.

The CPI(M) has strongly objected to the four new labour codes being implemented by the Central government claiming them to be ‘anti-worker and pro-corporate’. The party asserted that the labour codes were brought in violation of the hard won labour rights and they would replace 29 existing laws besides diluting workers protection and restrict the right to strike.

Mr. Baby said the Labour Codes could be implemented only after the States agree and therefore, the Chief Minister should clarify his stand on them. The Left Democratic Front government in Kerala had announced its resolve against the implementation of these provisions and ‘we expect the Telangana Chief Minister to take a similar stand’.

Mr. Baby expressed concern that the Congress government in the neighbouring Karnataka had initiated steps to implement the Labour Codes introduced by the Centre. “Mr. Revanth Reddy should take the initiative in convincing his Congress counterparts in Karnataka against their implementation,” he said.

The senior CPI(M) leader was strongly opposed to systematic intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls claiming the exercise to be ‘conscious removal of names from the voters lists’. Referring to the claims of following democratic norms by the BJP, he said a motion had been moved by an BJP MP for disqualification of the Leader of the Opposition. “What kind of democratic practice is this?” he wondered.

The CPI(M) general secretary was strongly opposed to the Centre’s decision to make mandatory singing all stanzas of Vande Mataram claiming that it was move aimed at sowing the seeds of division and ideologically preparing the country for Hindu Rashtra against the constitutional arrangement.