General strike on new labour codes: Protests in Hubballi and Dharwad

Members of various trade unions’ and employees’ associations organised protests in Hubballi and Dharwad on February 12 as part of a nationwide general strike called by JCTU against the new labour codes.

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In Hubballi, the march began at Sangolli Rayanna statue and concluded at Ambedkar statue, opposite the head post office.

In Dharwad, the protest march began from and concluded at Kalabhavan, after covering the thoroughfares of the city. Subsequently, a protest meeting was held at the same venue.

In the protest meeting held near Anbedkar statue, Hubballi Dharwad Employees’ Association General Secretary Stephen said trade unions were opposing the proposed privatisation and merger of banks as well as the move to bring foreign capital into public sector banks. He said the unions were also protesting against outsourcing, recruitment policies, and the implementation of the new labour codes.

While 29 labour laws had been consolidated into four codes, unions would not have objected if the provisions had remained unchanged. However, he alleged that amendments, particularly to the Trade Unions Act, favour employers and weakened worker protections and freedom

He also pointed out that the minimum number of members required to form a trade union had been increased from seven to 300, which, he claimed, threatened the survival of trade unions, and would lead to de-uninionisation.

CITU State Secretary Mahesh Pattar said that, from April 1, if unopposed, these laws would come into force and would remove the right to form a union, remove minimum wages, and remove the right to negotiation.

“The reason to amend these codes is to just help the thieves who are looting the country — the corporates. The protest is to oppose the Centre’s moves,” he said.

Mr Pattar said that Kerala government had already declared that it would not implement these laws. “However, the State Government has not opposed these laws. Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has not uttered a single word against it. Labour Minister Santosh lad, who talks about Ambedkar, Gandhiji and against the Central Government, is also silent,” he claimed.

Bank and insurance employees, ASHA workers, and midday meal workers were among those who took part in the protests.