Ludhiana: Workers demand rollback of labour codes

Ludhiana: Hundreds of union workers staged a protest outside the deputy commissioner’s office on Tuesday, demanding a ₹30,000 minimum monthly wage and the strict enforcement of labour rights. The demonstrators also submitted a memorandum to the DC calling for a regulated eight-hour workday, proportional pay for daily-wage and piece-rate workers, double overtime pay, equal wages for women, paid weekly offs, sick leave, and festival holidays.

The unions demanded the withdrawal of the four new central labour codes, branding them “anti-worker”. They said that despite legal protections, factory labourers are forced to work 12 to 14 hours a day for wages that fail to cover basic household expenses. They argued that while industrial profits have grown, workers have been denied a fair share, a crisis worsened by skyrocketing prices of petrol, diesel, cooking gas, and essential commodities.

Lakhwinder Singh, president of the Karkhana Mazdoor Union, urged govt to stop suppressing labour struggles and demanded the release of trade union leaders and social activists arrested nationwide.

Criticising state policy, Ravinder Kaur of the Naujawan Bharat Sabha stated that the Punjab govt’s recent 15% minimum wage hike is entirely inadequate against soaring inflation. She added that many employers ignore existing wage laws because state enforcement agencies fail to penalise violations.

Supported by various farmer unions, the protestors warned that they will intensify their agitation and launch larger nationwide struggles in the coming months if their demands are ignored.