Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 21: A joint platform of 10 central labour unions on Friday sharply criticised the government’s newly-notified labour reforms, calling them “anti-worker” and “pro-employer”, even as the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) welcomed the changes as a long-pending reform in the labour sector.

The government on Friday notified all four Labour Codes, introducing sweeping changes such as universal social security coverage for gig and platform workers, mandatory appointment letters for all employees, statutory minimum wages across sectors, and strict timelines for wage payments.

In a statement, the joint trade union forum accused the Centre of pushing the reforms unilaterally.

“This arbitrary and undemocratic notification of the four labour codes defies all democratic ethos and has wrecked the character of the welfare state of India to rubbles,” the unions said.

On the other hand, the BMS issued a separate statement supporting the reforms.

“The broadening of wage coverage beyond scheduled employment and extension of social security protection to new and unorganised sectors reflect forward-looking reforms aligned with the aspirations of the modern workforce,” the BMS said.