NEW DELHI: Labor unions in India have announced a nationwide protest against the new labor codes, according to reports.
Hundreds of workers demonstrated in Bhubaneswar, publicly burning copies of the new labor codes to express their opposition.
The new labor laws give companies greater authority over hiring and firing employees. Under the revised regulations, female workers can now be assigned to night shifts, a move that has drawn criticism from unions.
The Indian business community has expressed concerns that the new laws could increase costs for small businesses.
While the new regulations introduce protections such as social security coverage and minimum wage safeguards, they also allow companies to hire and terminate employees more easily.
For instance, companies with up to 300 employees no longer need prior government approval for layoffs, compared to the previous threshold of 100.
The Ministry of Labour has reportedly refused to accede to union demands, despite more than a dozen rounds of consultations with trade unions since June 2024, without reaching an agreement.
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