Labour codes rollout: Centre nudges states to take the driver's seat

In the absence of a clear timeline for notifying the four labour codes, the Centre has asked all states and Union Territories (UTs) to make "necessary" amendments to their existing labour laws to align them with the "spirit and provisions" of the new codes, according to official sources.

- SHIVA RAJORA,

"The nudge by the Centre to have states amend their existing laws is part of the government's efforts to advance ease of doing business and attract investments and create job opportunities, without getting entangled with the labour unions, which have adopted an obstinate and adamant stance while dealing with the question of labour reforms," a senior official told Business Standard. "The government is ready to talk on all provisions, if unions provide some constructive feedback, rather than engaging in consultations with a zero-sum-game approach."

The Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions—comprising 10 central unions, excluding the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh—has postponed a planned nationwide general strike against the implementation of the new labour codes from May 20 to July 9 after "due consideration of prevailing situation" in the country.