BMS Plans Nationwide Protest Against Labour Codes, Cites Threat to Workers’ Rights

Kochi, June 2026 : The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), one of India’s largest trade unions, has announced plans to launch a nationwide agitation against certain provisions of the Centre’s labour reforms, alleging that they dilute workers’ rights and weaken the functioning of trade unions across the country.

Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day Kerala State Committee meeting of the BMS in Ernakulam on Sunday, All India General Secretary Surendra Kumar Pandey said the organisation was preparing for a large-scale movement against provisions in the Industrial Relations (IR) Code and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code.

Pandey clarified that the BMS was not opposed to all labour reforms introduced by the Union government. He said the trade union had welcomed two of the four Labour Codes — the Code on Wages and the Code on Social Security — as these contained several measures aimed at improving wage protection and expanding social security benefits for workers.

However, he expressed serious reservations over the remaining two codes, arguing that they contain provisions that could adversely impact workers and labour organisations.

The four Labour Codes enacted by the Centre were designed to consolidate 29 central labour laws into four broad legislations: the Code on Wages, the Industrial Relations Code, the Code on Social Security, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code. The government has maintained that these reforms aim to simplify compliance procedures, modernise labour regulations and improve the ease of doing business in India.

Pandey, however, argued that certain provisions in the IR Code and OSH Code have generated widespread concern among workers and trade unions. According to him, restrictions related to the right to strike, recognition of trade unions and the functioning of labour organisations could weaken collective bargaining mechanisms and reduce workers’ ability to protect their interests.

“The BMS has repeatedly conveyed its concerns to the Union government through formal representations and discussions with the Labour Ministry,” Pandey said. “Despite these efforts, the objections raised by trade unions were not adequately addressed while framing the rules under the Labour Codes.”

He asserted that any labour reform should strike a balance between economic growth and workers’ welfare, and warned against measures that make trade union activities more difficult without providing adequate safeguards for employees.

Calling upon the Centre to amend the contentious provisions through Parliament, Pandey said labour rights and job security guaranteed under the Constitution must be protected. He emphasised that reforms should not come at the cost of workers’ fundamental rights.

“If corrective measures are not taken, the BMS will unite like-minded trade unions across the country and launch a massive nationwide movement to safeguard workers’ interests,” he warned.

The BMS leader stressed that the organisation remains committed to constructive dialogue but would not hesitate to intensify its protests if workers’ concerns continue to be ignored.

The two-day state committee meeting was presided over by Kerala State BMS President B. Shivaji Sudarsanan. Several senior leaders, including All-India Vice-President Unnikrishnan Unnithan, Southern States Organising Secretary M.P. Rajeevan and State Deputy General Secretary C. Balachandran, addressed the gathering.

District leaders and representatives from various federations and affiliated unions across Kerala are participating in the conference, where discussions are expected to focus on labour rights, welfare measures and the future course of action regarding the Labour Codes.