The CPM, CPI, VCK and CPI(ML) Liberation on Sunday strongly condemned the Union government’s decision to implement the four labour codes, calling it a major attack on workers’ rights. In a joint statement, leaders including CPM state secretary P. Shanmugam, CPI’s M. Veerapandian, VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan and CPI(ML) Liberation’s Pazha Asaithambi urged workers and the public to join statewide protests on December 8 seeking withdrawal of the codes.They said the Centre had replaced 29 labour laws with new codes that weaken wage protection, job security and social welfare, describing the move as corporate-driven and undemocratic, pushed through during the COVID-19 lockdown. Increasing the threshold for government approval to close industries from 100 to 300 workers, they argued, would deprive most workers of legal safeguards.
The parties also criticised fixed-term employment, weak social security measures and curbs on trade union rights, stating that the reforms serve only corporate profit amid rising unemployment and inequality. They further accused the Centre of undermining federalism by sidelining states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala that have not framed rules yet.
They called for widespread participation in the December 8 district-level protests to defend workers’ rights.