Central Labour Codes will not be implemented in Kerala: Minister Sivankutty
Thiruvananthapuram(PTI): Kerala Labour Minister V Sivankutty on Thursday made it clear that the Centre's Labour Codes would not be implemented in the state.
Speaking to reporters here, Sivankutty said that the majority of the states have taken steps to implement the labour codes, but not Kerala.
Later in the day, after a meeting with representatives of various trade unions, the minister said that it has been decided to ask the Centre to withdraw implementation of the labour codes.
Sivankutty said that, in the meeting, a resolution was passed that the Centre was arbitrarily imposing the labour codes without any discussions or undrstanding the problems of the workers in the country and therefore, the central government will be asked to withdraw it.
Besides that, on December 19, a one-day long Labour Conclave will be held in the state for which invitations have been given to all central trade unions and the labour ministers of all the states.
"We expect the participation of around 100 people. Discussions will be held, during the conclave, on whether the states can make a separate law with regard to the labour codes, what solutions can be found for the issue and labour being a state subject, what interventions the governments can carry out.
"Legal and labour experts will also take part in the conclave and they will also be consulted," Sivankutty told reporters here.
He further said that the Centre was now asking for names of those people who participated in the nationwide protests on Wednesday against the Labour Codes by wearing black armbands.
Terming it as a move to "intimidate" and "pressurise" workers, the minister said that the Left government will not permit it.
On being asked about the draft regulations prepared by the state in connection with the codes in 2021, the minister said it was a draft and will remain as such.
Sivankutty said that an email would be sent to the Centre seeking withdrawal of the implementation of the codes and later, after the conclave, he would go in person seeking the same.
Earlier in the day, the minister said that the Union Labour Ministry had called a meeting of all the states last month and there, Kerala had clearly indicated its stand that it would not implement the labour codes.
When reporters asked whether the state succumbed to central pressure to prepare the draft regulations linked to the labour codes, he denied it.
"If we were succumbing to central government pressure, we would have given a letter accepting the codes. We have not done that," he said.
The draft regulation was notified in the state on December 14, 2021.
He also asserted that the draft regulations were not prepared in secret.
"It was done openly and I recommended in the file that public opinion be sought regarding it. All further procedures in connection with it have been stopped. We have not taken any steps regarding it in the last three years. So, there is no need to be concerned," the minister said.
The union government recently notified all four labour codes, pending since 2020, ushering in major reforms, including universal social security coverage for gig workers, mandatory appointment letters for all employees, and statutory minimum wages and timely payment across sectors.
Sivankutty, on Wednesday, had assured that the state government would not adopt an anti-worker stand at any cost while implementing the new labour codes.
He also announced the convening of a meeting of central trade union representatives to discuss matters related to the labour codes notified by the Centre.
A proposal to organise a labour conclave in Thiruvananthapuram during the third week of December is under consideration, according to Labour Department officials.
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Kulkarni became victim of BJP conspiracy as he grew politically in North Karnataka: Shivakumar
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Bengaluru (PTI): Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar claimed on Friday that Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case, has become a victim of a BJP conspiracy because he was growing politically in the north Karnataka region.
Stating that he has faith in Kulkarni and believes he has done nothing wrong, he said the former minister will fight the case legally by filing an appeal.
A Bengaluru court on Friday sentenced Kulkarni and fifteen others to life imprisonment in the BJP leader Yogeshgouda Goudar murder case.
On Wednesday, Santhosh Gajanan Bhat, Judge of the Special Court for cases involving elected representatives, convicted Kulkarni and others under various IPC sections, including criminal conspiracy and murder.
“I respect the court. But there was a big conspiracy in this case. When the police were about to file a B-report, the CBI was given the case to harass him (Kulkarni). Vinay Kulkarni has become a victim of a BJP conspiracy as he was growing politically in north Karnataka,” Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he said Kulkarni has several legal options.
“I have spoken to his family. He swore on God and told me that he had not done anything wrong. I still have faith in him. I feel that he has not done anything wrong. He has an opportunity to file an appeal,” he said, adding that he stands with Kulkarni’s family and supporters and believes he will get justice.
The case pertains to the killing of Goudar, a BJP zilla panchayat member, in Dharwad on June 15, 2016. Kulkarni was a minister at the time. Hired assailants allegedly attacked and hacked Goudar to death in his gym in Saptapur, Dharwad.
Following demands from Goudar’s family and others, the then-BJP government transferred the case to the CBI in 2019.
Veteran BJP leader and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, under whose tenure the case was handed over to the CBI, told reporters in Chikkamagaluru, “I said what I needed to say when the crime happened, and what I said—that the guilty should be punished and justice should be served—has proven true.”
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, BJP leader and MLC C T Ravi, reacting to the court order, said, “Justice delayed, but not denied.”
