Unilateral Imposition of Four Labour Codes: Unprecedented Fascist Attack on Working People as Modi Govt Becomes a ‘Corporate-Facilitator’
CPI (ML) Red Star
In an abrupt and unilateral move, and in total disregard of the deep concerns of Trade Unions, on 21 November, the Modi government has notified the implementation of Four Labour Codes passed by parliament in 2020. According to Modi regime, the Four Labour Codes (Four Labour Laws) – Code on Wages 2019, Industrial Relations Code 2020, Code on Social Security 2020 and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020 that consolidate 29 central labour laws into four comprehensive codes – mark what it calls a “historic modernisation” of India’s labour regulatory framework, and for moving towards “Aatmanirbhar India”. On the other hand, for the more than 600 million Indian workers – 90 percent of whom belongs to informal or unorganised sectors – this is a corporate-fascist offensive subjecting them to the diktats of Indian crony capitalists and MNCs from imperialist countries, thereby denying them minimum livelihood and sustenance, and even basic democratic rights. As such, not only Godi media, but even foreign news outlets such as Reuters are highlighting the Government Notification with headlines.
Both official and corporate media platforms eulogise the Labour Codes as “most comprehensive and progressive labour-oriented reforms since Independence”, comprising expanded social security coverage for all workers, including unorganized, gig, and platform workers, minimum wages, povisions such as mandatory appointment letters, improved safety standards, gratuity eligibility after one year for fixed-term employees, and gender-neutral pay with enhanced safety for women night-shift workers, and so on. But amidst this eulogy is a message widely disseminated across various platforms that the “benefits aimed at empowering workers and promoting ease of doing business”, which is a contradiction in itself. For, mere commonsense is enough to understand that “ease of doing business”(a term developed by neoliberal corporate centres) is the antithesis of Modi regime’s rhetoric on “empowering workers”. Even sources such as US financial institution Citigroup, Confederation of Indian Industry, etc., have endorsed Modi government’s claim that the Four Labour Codes will promote “ease of doing business” (Now World Bank has replaced the Ease of Doing Business Index with Business Ready (B-READY) Index.
For instance, under the guise of “simplified compliance requirements for employers”, the most corrupt corporates, who control the economy today, will have a new phase of unfettered and uncontrolled freedom for keeping the workers as mere bonded labourers in a regime of Four Labour Codes. Under Modi.3, concerted efforts were in full swing to speed up the implementation of Labour Codes, and many State governments, especially fascist “double engines”, have started issuing draft rules for it. Still, pointing out that the Codes will curtail hard earned trade unions’ rights and social security measures for workers, the Central Trade Unions were opposing it. However, far-right BMS affiliated to RSS has been fully supporting the Labour Codes from the very beginning. It is in this context that following SIR-backed Bihar Victory, Modi regime has unilaterally announced the implementation of Four Labour Codes, in total disregard of the Trade Unions.
To be precise, as the Four Codes are made operational now, many hard-earned rights of the workers will come to a standstill. Many dilutions regarding provisions pertaining to closure of establishments, lay-offs, dismissal of workers/employees, etc., will come into immediate effect. For instance, establishments upto 300 workers can be closed without government permission; earlier it was 100. In factories, working time is increased to 12 hours and 10 hours in shops. Since social security benefits to workers are linked with the number of workers employed, this provision also will go against the interests of workers and employees. In essence, a glance at the the Four Labour Codes amply reveals that it will be a draconian fascist onslaught on the working people of India, while the government’s role will be that of a ‘corporate facilitator’.
Therefore, we resolutely condemning this corporate-fascist offensive against the working masses. We appeal to the working class of India and all toiling people including peasants to rise up against this pro-corporate and anti-worker draconian laws for their repeal.
P J James
General Secretary
CPI (ML) Red Star
New Delhi
22.11.2025
