Archive · 3 Dec 2025
Opposition Protests New Labour Codes in Parliament
Some leaders in India are very upset about new rules that change how workers are treated.
They think these new rules, called labour codes, are not fair to workers and will make it easier for companies to fire people.
So, they protested in front of the Parliament building to ask the government to change these rules.
The leaders who protested include important people from different political parties.
The government says these new rules are good because they make sure workers have better protection and benefits, like health check-ups and insurance.
But the protesting leaders say these rules are actually helping big companies more than workers.
They want the government to listen to them and make changes to the rules.
Opposition MPs, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, protested against new labour codes in Parliament complex.
The protest was held in front of the Makar Dwar of Parliament, with MPs carrying posters and placards demanding the rollback of the new labour codes.
The new labour codes, notified last month, include the Code of Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Code on Social Security, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code.
Key reforms in the new codes include mandatory appointment letters, universal social security coverage, statutory minimum wages, expanded rights for women, and free annual health check-ups for workers aged 40 and above.
The codes have raised the ceiling for mandatory government approval for closures, layoffs, or retrenchment from 100 to 300 workers and increased working hours in factories and shops.
- Who
- Opposition MPs, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi
- What
- Protest against new labour codes in Parliament complex
- When
- December 3, 2023
- Where
- New Delhi, India
- Why
- To demand the rollback of new labour codes, which they believe are against the interests of the labour class
Opposition Parties
Government
Labour Codes
Opposition Parties
The new labour codes should be rolled back as they are against the interests of the labour class and enable corporate exploitation.
Government
The new labour codes aim to modernize labour laws, ensure formalization, and provide universal social security coverage, including to gig and migrant workers.
- Protesting Parties
- Congress, DMK, TMC, Left parties, among others
- Location of Protest
- Makar Dwar of Parliament
- Key Opposition Leaders Present
- Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
- Number of Labour Codes
- 4
- New Retrenchment Threshold
- 300 workers
- Increased Working Hours in Factories
- 12 hours
- Increased Working Hours in Shops
- 10 hours
Sources
Labour Codes: Trade Unions Raise Red Flags Over Layoffs
Framework for Code on Social Security must be fair and effective
Sonia, Kharge protest in Parliament complex against new labour codes
Oppn leaders meet in Parliament to discuss joint strategy
Sonia Gandhi, Rahul lead protest against new labour codes, accuse Modi govt of destroying environment
