10 Central trade unions to observe April 1 as Black Day against Labour Codes

A joint platform of 10 central trade unions will observe April 1, 2026 as Black Day against four Labour Codes after their repeated demand for repealing of the Codes did not yield any response from the government.

“The platform of central trade unions and independent sectoral federations and associations call upon the trade unions to organise 1st April as Black Day,” it said in its statement issued on Friday.

“The trade unions have consistently opposed and demanded scrapping of these anti-workers, pro-employer labour codes brought in the name of ‘labour reform’ to facilitate ease of doing business,” it said, adding that the central government is reluctant to withdraw the Labour Codes or even call a meeting with Central Trade Unions the discuss the issue.


The joint platform of 10 central trade unions include AITUC, HMS, CITU, INTUC, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC.

The unison are of the view that these codes have clauses which are against the spirit of Indian Constitution as well as against International Labour Standards (FPRW-Fundamental Principles of Rights at Work) and against human rights.

“These labour codes have made unionisation more stringent and registration difficult besides decriminalizing violations by employers and criminalizing trade union activities by increased punishments on unions and leaders,” the unions said in the statement.