The All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) has strongly criticized the Central Government’s decision to implement the Four Labour Codes from November 21, 2025, calling it a “Black Friday for the Indian working class.”
In a detailed press release, C.H. Venkatachalam, General Secretary of AIBEA, expressed deep concern that the new codes will undermine workers’ rights that were earned through decades of struggles, sacrifices, and union movements. The association argues that while the government promotes these reforms as pro-worker and business-friendly, in reality, they dilute protections available under the existing 29 labour laws.
A Century of Labour Rights at Stake
AIBEA recalls that India’s labour rights — including the right to form trade unions, fight for fair wages and demand safer working conditions — were hard-won through more than 100 years of workers’ movements. The formation of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in 1920 marked the beginning of this journey, culminating in legal recognition of trade unions through the Trade Unions Act of 1926.
According to AIBEA, replacing these well-established labour laws with new codes such as the Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Social Security Code and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code has weakened existing worker protections and given greater concessions to employers.
AIBEA’s Key Concerns
The association raised several points of opposition, stating that:
- The Four Labour Codes replace 29 labour laws thereby limiting worker rights and collective bargaining power.
- The codes increase flexibility for employers but reduce job security for workers by encouraging contract and gig employment instead of permanent jobs.
- Women, who make up nearly 50% of India’s workforce may face greater risks due to the removal of restrictions on night shifts and hazardous work.
- While presented as reforms to enhance employment opportunities, the association says the changes will widen inequality and favour corporates over workers.
AIBEA also emphasized that these codes were adopted unilaterally in 2019 and 2020 without adequate consultation with trade unions, describing the move as undemocratic.
Nationwide Union Protests
Trade unions across India except BMS, have repeatedly protested the government’s labour reforms. Strikes were held on January 8–9, 2019, January 8, 2020, November 26, 2020, and again on March 28–29, 2022 and July 9, 2025.
AIBEA actively participated in all these demonstrations calling on the government to reconsider the new labour regime.
AIBEA’s Position
In the press release, Venkatachalam stated:
“Today is indeed a Black Friday for the Indian working class and trade union movement. The Government has titled the balance against the interest of the working class while extending concessions to employers.”
He further added that the government’s new Shram Shakti Niti-2025 proposed alongside these codes, may further erode existing worker protections.
The Road Ahead
While the government maintains that the Four Labour Codes are meant to simplify compliance, empower workers and enhance ease of doing business, trade unions like AIBEA warn that these reforms may lead to job insecurity, lower bargaining power and unsafe work conditions.
The coming months will reveal how these laws impact India’s workforce — especially contract, gig, and women workers — and whether further amendments will be introduced to address these growing concerns.
Source : AIBEA
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