New Delhi, December 3, 2025 – Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has strongly criticized the recently notified labor codes, labeling them as "anti-labor, anti-worker, and pro-crony capitalists". Kharge's remarks came amidst protests by opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, held at the Parliament House complex against the new labor laws.
The opposition's concerns revolve around the Centre's notification of four labor codes: the Code on Wages (2019), the Industrial Relations Code (2020), the Code on Social Security (2020), and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020). These codes consolidate 29 existing labor laws and have been under discussion since 2020.
Kharge and other opposition leaders argue that the new codes undermine workers' rights in favor of corporate interests. They claim the codes threaten job security, weaken trade unions and collective bargaining rights, and compromise worker safety and welfare.
One of the major points of contention is the raising of the threshold for mandatory government approval for layoffs and retrenchments from 100 to 300 employees. Kharge contends that this change means over 80% of factories in India can now lay off or retrench workers without government approval, significantly reducing job security. He also expressed concern that the expansion of Fixed Term Employment (FTE) will lead to the end of many permanent jobs, as companies can hire workers on short-term contracts and avoid providing long-term benefits.
Another area of concern is the flexibility in working hours. While the codes maintain an 8-hour workday on paper, they allow states to permit 12-hour shifts through flexible scheduling. Kharge argues that coupled with state-determined overtime limits, this effectively permits much longer workdays, increasing fatigue and safety risks.
Kharge also criticized the codes for allegedly weakening trade unions and collective rights. He noted that workers must wait 60 days before striking, plus a 14-day cooling-off period, which he says prevents quick action against unsafe or unfair conditions. He also claimed that requiring one union with 51% membership to be the sole negotiator sidelines smaller unions and reduces representation for diverse worker groups.
Furthermore, Kharge highlighted the potential impact on migrant and informal workers. He argued that the codes fail to extend safeguards for migrants, removing the displacement allowance and retaining a restrictive income cap that leaves many migrants without protection. He also raised concerns that mandatory Aadhaar-based registration risks excluding migrants and informal workers who often face documentation errors or limited digital access, creating barriers to social-security enrolment.
Kharge also slammed the new labor codes for what he called weak accountability for violations. He said that by allowing offenses to be settled for a fee, the codes turn wage violations into a payable cost, weakening accountability and effectively monetizing illegality.
Despite the opposition's criticism, the government maintains that the new labor codes are aimed at modernizing labor regulations, enhancing the welfare of workers, and laying the foundation for a future-ready workforce. The government has also stated that the codes include key reforms such as mandatory appointment letters for workers, universal social security coverage, statutory minimum wages, expanded rights and safety measures for women workers, and mandatory annual health check-ups for workers above 40. The Labour Minister stated that Labour Codes “expand protections to 40 crore unorganised sector workers, including Gig & Platform workers, something Congress Govt never chose to attempt."
