Sat Nov 22 10:52:32 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article based on that information:
Summary:
The Indian National Congress is criticizing the Modi government’s new labor codes, despite the worker-friendly measures. While the government claims these codes will revolutionize labor reform, the Congress argues they are simply a repackaging of existing laws and question their effectiveness in ensuring “Shramik Nyay” (worker justice). The Congress is demanding a national minimum wage of ₹400 per day, universal health coverage of ₹25 lakh, an employment guarantee act for urban areas, and comprehensive social security for unorganized workers, including life and accident insurance. They are also calling for a stop to contractualization of employment in core government functions. The Congress points to labor reforms in Congress-led states like Karnataka and previously Rajasthan as examples the Modi government should follow, especially regarding gig worker laws. The new Labour Codes, while containing some positive changes like mandatory appointment letters, universal social security, and expanded rights for women, have faced criticism for potentially allowing employer-friendly retrenchment rules and increased working hours.
News Article:
Congress Questions Effectiveness of New Labour Codes, Demands Higher Minimum Wage and Expanded Social Security
New Delhi, November 22, 2025 – The Indian National Congress has voiced concerns over the Modi government’s newly notified Labour Codes, arguing that they fall short of providing true justice for Indian workers. Just one day after the Centre put the four Labour Codes into effect, which have been in the works since 2020, the opposition party is questioning the effectiveness of the new measures and urging the government to learn from Congress-led states like Karnataka and Rajasthan.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh stated that the codes, which repackage 29 existing labor laws, are being falsely marketed as revolutionary reform. Ramesh argued the codes will not deliver on the five essential demands of Indian workers. Specifically, the Congress is demanding a national minimum wage of ₹400 per day (including for MGNREGA workers), universal health coverage of ₹25 lakh, an employment guarantee act for urban areas, and comprehensive social security, including life and accident insurance, for all unorganized workers. The party is also calling for a halt to the contractualization of employment in core government functions.
“The Modi Government must learn from the examples of the Congress Government in Karnataka and the former Government in Rajasthan, which have pioneered labour reform for the 21st century with their groundbreaking gig worker laws that preceded the new codes,” Ramesh said in a post on X.
While the four Labour Codes contain worker-friendly elements like mandatory appointment letters, universal social security coverage, and expanded rights for women, they have also faced criticism. Concerns have been raised about provisions on retrenchment, which could be seen as employer-friendly, as well as increased working hours in factories and other establishments.
The new codes also increase the threshold for mandatory government approval for closures, layoffs, or retrenchment from establishments employing 100 or more workers to those employing 300 or more workers. Working hours have increased to 12 hours for factories and 10 hours for other establishments.
The Congress insists that the Modi government’s focus should be on ensuring tangible benefits for workers, not simply streamlining existing regulations. They are urging the government to address their demands to truly achieve “Shramik Nyay” and improve the lives of Indian laborers.
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