Over 1,000 Workers Protest at Jantar Mantar Against New Labour Codes

New Delhi:
More than a thousand workers from across North India gathered at Jantar Mantar on Thursday to protest against the implementation of the four new labour codes, calling them “anti-worker” and demanding their immediate repeal. The demonstration was organised by the Mazdoor Adhikar Sangharsh Abhiyan (MASA), a coordination platform of 14 labour organisations, unions and federations operating across the country.

The protest in Delhi was part of nationwide actions held to mark All India Workers’ Rights Day, with rallies and demonstrations reported from several states including Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Major cities where events were organised included Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Patna, Lucknow, Bareilly, Bhubaneswar, Kurukshetra, Ludhiana, Haridwar, Rudrapur, Davanagere and Kalaburagi.

// BUY IN INDIA"// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- //BUY IN USA //

दिए गए लिंक पर क्लिक करें और Amazon पर ऑनलाइन करें खरीद

Amazon: दुनिया का सबसे बड़ा ऑनलाइन शॉपिंग प्लेटफॉर्म, जहां आपको बेहतरीन डील्स और विश्वसनीय प्रोडक्ट्स मिलते

Despite heavy police presence, workers from Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan participated in large numbers at Jantar Mantar. The demonstrators represented a wide spectrum of sectors, including automobile, garment and electronics manufacturing, domestic work, MNREGA, construction, MSMEs, gig and platform work, and various government schemes.

In the Delhi–NCR region, the protest was jointly organised by MASA’s constituent organisations such as Mazdoor Sangharsh Sangathan, CSTU, IMK, IFTU–Sarvahara, Gramin Mazdoor Union (Bihar) and Banvasu, along with representatives of several other trade unions and workers’ collectives. These included ICTU, IFTU, AIFTU (New), Mazdoor Ekta Committee, All India Railway Trackmen Union, Maruti Suzuki Workers’ Union, Bellsonica Employees’ Union, Daikin Workers’ Union, MMTC Workers’ Union, Sangrami Domestic Workers’ Union, MNREGA Mazdoor Union (Hanumangarh), Chief Health Officers’ Union and Kisan Ekta Kendra. Student and youth organisations such as PCHAS, Collective, PSYA, Krantikari Naujawan Sabha and Agragami Chhatra Naujawan Sangathan also participated.

ALSO READ The winter session of Parliament faced numerous disturbances and controversies

Addressing the gathering, speakers alleged that the Union government implemented the four labour codes on 21 November despite repeated protests, warnings and appeals from trade unions across the country. According to MASA, the new codes weaken job security, enable “hire and fire” practices, dilute trade union rights, increase working hours, reduce labour protections and limit access to labour courts and enforcement mechanisms.

Speakers also criticised the draft National Labour and Employment Policy (Labour Force Policy, 2025) issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, terming it another step detrimental to workers’ interests. They alleged that the policy favours corporate interests at a time when job losses, wage cuts and rising living costs are affecting large sections of the working population, while profits of large corporations continue to grow. Concerns were also raised over ongoing privatisation of public sector enterprises, banks and insurance services.

During the protest, workers raised demands including a minimum monthly wage of ₹30,000, permanent and secure employment for all workers, protection of existing labour laws, and an end to privatisation. Protesters also voiced opposition to unemployment, inflation and what they described as divisive politics that weaken workers’ unity.

Similar programmes were organised in other parts of the country under the banner of All India Workers’ Rights Day, with labour organisations reiterating their call for a united and sustained national movement against the labour codes.

MASA stated that it would continue to coordinate with other militant trade unions to intensify an all-India movement against labour codes and what it termed anti-worker policies in the coming days.

ALSO READ Nikon "निकॉन ने लॉन्च किया Z5II फुल-फ्रेम मिररलेस कैमरा, अब और भी बेहतर लो-लाइट परफॉर्मेंस और AI पावर्ड ऑटोफोकस के साथ

MASA is a coalition of several labour organisations, including the All India Workers Council, Bihar Construction and Unorganised Workers Union, Centre for Struggling Trade Unions (CSTU), Gramin Mazdoor Union (Bihar), Indian Federation of Trade Unions – Sarvahara (IFTUS), Inquilabi Mazdoor Kendra, Karnataka Shramik Shakti, New Democratic Labour Front (Tamil Nadu), Trade Union Centre of India (TUCI) and others.

Author
Recent Posts

patnaites.com

From the Desk at Patnaites.com

Established in 2008, Patnaites.com was founded with a mission to keep Patnaites (the people of Patna) well-informed about the city and globe.

At Patnaites.com, we cater Hyperlocal Coverage to
Global and viral news and views.ensuring that you are up-to-date with everything from sports events to campus activities, stage performances, dance and drama shows, exhibitions, and the rich cultural tapestry that makes Patna unique.

Patnaites.com brings you news from around the globe, including global events, tech developments, lifestyle insights, and entertainment news.