Minister V Sivankutty to Hold Talks with Trade Unions on Labour Codes

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Labour Minister V Sivankutty has called a meeting of central trade union representatives to discuss issues related to the Labour Codes recently notified by the Union government. According to an official statement, the meeting will be held online on November 27 at noon.

The minister is also set to hold discussions with labour ministers from other states on the same subject. In addition, a proposal to host a labour conclave in Thiruvananthapuram in the third week of December is under consideration.

At a meeting of state labour officials convened by the Union Labour Secretary on Monday, Kerala reiterated its areas of disagreement with the Labour Codes. State Labour Special Secretary Shanavas S said the state would provide its objections in writing.

The Centre recently notified all four Labour Codes, first introduced in 2020, bringing in changes such as universal social security for gig workers, mandatory appointment letters for all employees, statutory minimum wages, and timely wage payments across sectors. Sivankutty has maintained that Kerala will not take an anti-worker position while implementing the new codes.