Left, CITU hit out at Centre for post-poll labour code push
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) have launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi-led Union Government following the formal operationalisation of the four controversial Labour Codes on May 8, 2026.
Labelling the move a “blueprint for virtual slavery,” the Left leadership has called upon State Governments to bypass the Central Rules through legislative amendments.
In a strongly-worded statement, the CPI(M) accused the Centre of “deceptive modus operandi,” alleging that the Government intentionally delayed notifying the Final Central Rules until the conclusion of recent Assembly elections in four States and a Union Territory. “Within just four days of the results, they have operationalised the Codes. This exposes their predatory intent to favour corporate masters over the working class,” the party stated.
Echoing this sentiment, CITU General Secretary Elamaram Kareem has called for a nationwide “militant protest,” urging workers to burn copies of the Labour Codes and the newly notified Rules. The CITU alleged that the Codes strike at the heart of workers’ interests, snatching away fundamental rights related to working hours, minimum wages, social security, and the right to unionise.
The CPI(M) further highlighted that labour falls under the Concurrent List of the Constitution. Pointing to the initiative of the outgoing LDF Government in Kerala — which had constituted an expert committee under retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice V Gopala Gowda — the party urged other States to exercise their legislative powers.
“The expert committee has empowered State Legislatures to bring in amendments to protect workers. We urge State Governments to bring in these amendments instead of operationalising the Central Rules,” the Polit Bureau noted.
The CITU also raised alarms over the synchronisation of these Labour Codes with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
It claimed that Section 111 of the BNS is being used to categorise collective grievances and union activities as “organised crime,” leading to non-bailable imprisonment of activists.
Citing recent “gruesome crackdowns” on workers in the Delhi-NCR region, the trade union warned that the regime is attempting to create an atmosphere of fear to prohibit day-to-day collective activities like gate meetings and memorandum submissions. The Left organisations have vowed to escalate their struggle, framing the resistance as a fight not just for labour rights, but for the democratic fabric of the nation.
