The Unorganised Workers Federation (UWF) held a march on Tuesday, urging the State government to pass a resolution in the Assembly opposing the Union government’s four labour codes and to protect the welfare boards established in Tamil Nadu.

Nearly five years ago, the Union government introduced four labour codes — the Code of Wages in 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code, and the Code on Social Security in 2020. Activists contend that these codes weaken worker protections and restrict the ability to engage in collective bargaining. 

The UWF has been organising Statewide protests since the beginning of March, and launched a padayatra from Chengalpattu on March 16, which concluded at Saidapet on Tuesday. R. Geetha, an advisor to the UWF, said that it is unlawful to implement these codes without a tripartite labour conference. She added that the Code on Social Security poses a threat to the dissolution of all existing welfare boards, including the 36 sector-specific boards in Tamil Nadu. 

Expressing concerns about the ambiguity surrounding the funding of the “welfare schemes” for informal workers mentioned in the Code, she pointed out that there is no specific provision requiring fund allocation by either employers or the Union government.

The demonstration also called on the State government to issue health cards for all workers registered with welfare boards under the CM Health Insurance Scheme, ensuring medical coverage and protection for occupational accidents. Additionally, the protesters voiced dissatisfaction with the current pension of ₹1200, demanding an increase to at least ₹3000. 

“Even to register for this, the mobile phone needs to be functional, which costs ₹300 every month. The remaining ₹900 barely covers tea for a month,” said Ms. Geetha.