Activists of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), led by district president M.B. Sajjan, staged a demonstration at SVP Chowk in Kalaburagi on Tuesday opposing the implementation of the new Labour Codes brought out by the Union government.

The protesters burnt copies of the Labour Codes and raised slogans condemning the Centre’s decision to implement the four Labour Codes after finalising the rules earlier this month.

Addressing the protesters, Mr. Sajjan said that the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre has ignored objections raised by trade unions and workers organisations while framing the rules for the Labour Codes.

“The new labour laws will weaken hard-earned labour rights secured through decades of struggles by workers across the country,” he said.

The agitating activists said that the Labour Codes have been framed in favour of domestic and foreign corporate interests and they will adversely affect job security, trade union rights and employment opportunities for the younger generation.

They said that workers across the country have been continuously opposing the Labour Codes through protests and strikes, including the nationwide general strike on February 12 this year.

Despite this, the Centre went ahead with their implementation, they said.

“The move is anti-worker. The State government should not implement the Labour Codes. We appeal to the State government to protect the interests of workers in line with the federal principles enshrined in the Constitution,” Mr. Sajjan said.

The protest was held as part of a nationwide call given by the CITU to organise demonstrations and burn copies of the Labour Codes at district centres and workplaces across the country.

Among those present were Shanta Ghanti, Gouramma Patil, Shrimanth Biradar and Nagappa Raichurkar.