{"id":6307,"date":"2025-11-27T16:46:03","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T11:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=6307"},"modified":"2025-11-27T16:46:03","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T11:16:03","slug":"aicctu-stages-statewide-protest-at-freedom-park-demand-%e2%82%b942000-minimum-wage-and-end-to-contract-labour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=6307","title":{"rendered":"AICCTU Stages Statewide Protest at Freedom Park, Demand \u20b942,000 Minimum Wage and End to Contract Labour"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Karnataka Workers Stage Mass Protest, Demand Repeal of New Labour Codes<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

BENGALURU<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Thousands of workers from across Karnataka converged at Freedom Park on Thursday, voicing fierce opposition to the newly implemented federal labour laws and demanding a minimum wage of \u20b942,000, permanent employment status, and the abolition of the contract labour system.<\/p>\n

The protest, organised by the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), culminated in the symbolic burning of the four Labour Codes and the submission of a memorandum to the office of the Assistant Labour Commissioner.<\/p>\n

A “Blow to Workers” and Corporate “Loot”<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The central point of contention is the enforcement, on November 21, 2025, of four comprehensive Labour Codes that consolidate and replace 29 existing labour laws. Union leaders decried the move as a unilateral act that undermines workers’ rights.<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout any prior notice, public discussion, or consultation with trade unions, the Central Government suddenly enforced the four Labour Codes\u2014thereby delivering a huge blow to workers,\u201d said AICCTU National Vice President Clifton D\u2019Rozario, addressing the gathering.<\/p>\n

D\u2019Rozario framed the codes as policies designed to benefit corporate interests at the expense of the labour force. \u201cThese new Codes will lead to the elimination of workers\u2019 rights, wage reduction, loss of social security, destruction of freedom of association, and increased job insecurity,\u201d he stated. \u201cTherefore, these Codes must be withdrawn.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Workers Rally in Bengaluru, Say Modi\u2019s Labour Codes Strip Away Their Rights<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wage Cuts and an “Erosion of Rights”<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Speakers at the protest alleged that the government’s claims of improving worker welfare are deceptive. AICCTU State President P.P. Appanna challenged the narrative that the Code on Wages increases earnings.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe claim that the minimum wage has been increased under the Code on Wages is completely false,\u201d Appanna asserted. \u201cBecause of the concept of a national floor wage, current minimum wages will drastically fall. Workers\u2019 monthly minimum wages will reduce from \u20b927,613 to \u20b919,154.\u201d<\/p>\n

He further argued that the Code on Social Security creates a two-tiered system, leaving gig and unorganised sector workers vulnerable. \u201cFor them, there is only \u2018registration\u2019; the Codes do not provide PF, ESI, insurance, or other mandatory rights. This divides workers into two classes\u2014those with rights and those without,\u201d he alleged.<\/p>\n

Assault on Collective Power and Job Security<\/strong><\/h4>\n

AICCTU State Secretary Maitreyi Krishnan highlighted how the new laws curtail workers’ ability to organise and protest. \u201cBy making a 14-day prior strike notice compulsory in all sectors, the right to strike has been directly attacked,\u201d Krishnan said.<\/p>\n

She also pointed to increased powers for regulatory bodies to cancel union registration, arguing it tilts the balance of power overwhelmingly in favour of employers. \u201cWorkers have already lost minimum wages, job security, and constitutional rights. They will now be pushed into unemployment, hunger, and poverty,\u201d she warned. \u201cThe government\u2019s claim that workers have been given more strength is the opposite of the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Workers Rally at Freedom Park, Demand \u20b942,000 Minimum Wage and End to Contract Labour<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Human Cost of the Contract System<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Beyond the codes, protesters demanded the eradication of the contract labour system, which they labelled a form of “neo-casteism.” D\u2019Rozario cited the plight of workers from the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd., essential for state irrigation but all employed on a contract basis.<\/p>\n

He framed the struggle as a battle for dignity against a government that prioritises employers. \u201cThe Modi government claims that employers are superior, and therefore workers must be grateful to them and should not demand their rights. They are saying workers must live like slaves. We cannot accept this,\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n

Citing rising costs of living, D\u2019Rozario justified the demand for a \u20b942,000 minimum wage as “absolutely essential for a dignified life.” He urged the state government to follow the ‘pourakarmika model’\u2014which transitioned sanitation workers to direct payroll\u2014for all contract workers.<\/p>\n

The protest saw participation from workers in various sectors, including ITI and sanitation, signalling a broad-based discontent that union leaders vow to channel into a sustained movement against the new legal framework.<\/p>\n

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Key Quotes<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

On the Implementation and Intent of the Labour Codes<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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  • \n

    Clifton D\u2019Rozario, AICCTU National Vice President:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • \n

      “Without any prior notice, public discussion, or consultation with trade unions, the Central Government suddenly enforced the four Labour Codes\u2014thereby delivering a huge blow to workers.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      “These new Codes will lead to the elimination of workers\u2019 rights, wage reduction, loss of social security, destruction of freedom of association, and increased job insecurity.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      “The Modi government claims that employers are superior, and therefore workers must be grateful to them and should not demand their rights. They are saying workers must live like slaves. We cannot accept this.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      On Wages and Social Security<\/strong><\/h3>\n
        \n
      • \n

        P.P. Appanna, AICCTU State President:<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • \n

          “The claim that the minimum wage has been increased under the Code on Wages is completely false. Because of the concept of floor wage, current minimum wages will drastically fall.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          “Workers\u2019 monthly minimum wages will reduce from \u20b927,613 to \u20b919,154.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          “For gig and unorganised workers, there is only \u2018registration\u2019; the Codes do not provide PF, ESI, insurance, or other mandatory rights. This divides workers into two classes\u2014those with rights and those without.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          On Workers’ Rights and Job Security<\/strong><\/h3>\n
            \n
          • \n

            Maitreyi Krishnan, AICCTU State Secretary:<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            • \n

              “With the enforcement of the four Labour Codes by the Central Government, workers\u2019 lives will fall further into the abyss.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              *”By making a 14-day prior strike notice compulsory in all sectors, the right to strike has been directly attacked, and the rights of workers is being trampled upon.”*<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              “The government\u2019s claim that workers have been given more strength is the opposite of the truth.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              On the Contract Labour System and Demands<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                \n
              • \n

                Clifton D\u2019Rozario:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • \n

                  “Under the contract system, a new kind of neo-casteism has begun. We must fight against this.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  *”If we consider today\u2019s rising prices… a minimum wage of \u20b942,000\/- is absolutely essential for a dignified life. But these new laws completely ignore workers\u2019 lives and are drafted to benefit corporate owners…”*<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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                  <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  Karnataka Workers Stage Mass Protest, Demand Repeal of New Labour Codes BENGALURU\u00a0\u2013 Thousands of workers from across Karnataka converged at Freedom Park on Thursday, voicing fierce opposition to the newly implemented federal labour laws and demanding a minimum wage of \u20b942,000, permanent employment status, and the abolition of the contract labour system. The protest, organised […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6308,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[198],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6307","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bengaluru"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6307","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6307"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6307\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6311,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6307\/revisions\/6311"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6308"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6307"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6307"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6307"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}