Workers across the State under the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) came together to protest against the central labour codes, notified by the Central Government in November 2025, with the related rules being issued through gazette notifications on May 8 and 9.
In many places, workers burned copies of the Labour Codes and Rules and took out processions.
The CITU Karnataka State Committee had called for the State-wide protest on Tuesday (May 12, 2026), across all district centres and workplaces in accordance with the call given by the CITU All India Committee. However, following the call, many workers started protesting on Monday (May 11) itself, said Meenakshi Sundaram, President of the Karnataka State committee of CITU.
“Yesterday and today, protests were held at workplaces. Workers came out at factories and industrial areas in Bengaluru North, Bengaluru South and Bengaluru Rural yesterday itself. On May 13, protests will be held at central places,” he said.
Workers staged protests at Anekal, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Hosapete and Hutti Gold Mines, Raichur. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Copies of the Labour Codes were burned in Kolar district, Raichur, Dabaspete industrial area, Tumakuru, Vijayanagara and Jigani Industrial Area. Workers staged protests at Anekal, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Hosapete and Hutti Gold Mines, Raichur.
Noting that the codes are a move to destroy the fundamental rights of the workers, including the right to protest, the workers urged the Karnataka government to not implement the codes in the State.
S. Varalakshmi, general secretary of the Karnataka State committee of CITU, informed that protest will be held at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on May 13.