In Focus by The Hindu In Focus-Parley | Are the labour codes labour friendly?
Nov 27, 2025
Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress, advocates for workers' rights, while R. Mukundan, CEO of Tata Chemicals, represents industry interests. They engage in a heated debate about the newly implemented labour codes, discussing their implications for social security and workers' rights. Kaur argues that the codes threaten union power, while Mukundan contends they modernize laws for a competitive economy. Both emphasize the need for better dialogue between employers and unions to address significant grievances.
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Why Law Consolidation Was Pushed
- India’s fragmented labour laws needed simplification to match a transformed workforce and new industries.
- R. Mukundan argues unified codes offer predictability that can attract investment and jobs.
Trade Unions’ Historical Struggle
- Amarjeet Kaur recounts trade unions' long history of struggle for worker rights from the 19th century onward.
- She says unions were excluded from drafting the new codes and felt betrayed by government promises made in 2015.
Social Security Ambit Widens — Implementation Risk
- The social security code expands coverage to include platform and gig workers and many informal workers.
- R. Mukundan says larger firms are prepared but implementation across MSMEs and supply chains will vary.