Thiruvananthapuram: Govt will implement labour codes while encouraging private investment across sectors, said CM V D Satheesan, adding that govt will not compromise on the rights of workers. At INTUC state leadership meet on Monday, he said private entrepreneurs were coming forward to invest in numerous sectors and govt was holding discussions with them. The CM said govt won’t permit any enterprise that causes hardship to workers or a project that fails to protect workers and the environment.Satheesan said govt would implement labour codes and also consider INTUC’s suggestions. He said workers need not fear the introduction of new labour laws and asserted that govt would not adopt an anti-worker stand. “If labour codes are not implemented, workers will not have protection,” he said.Satheesan said govt is not in favour of privatising PSUs. “We will not allow the resources of a PSU to be drained merely on the pretext that it is a public sector institution. The institution must be run efficiently and sustainably,” he said. Referring to KSRTC, he said efforts were on to keep it independent and ensure that it functioned efficiently.Satheesan and INTUC state chief R Chandrasekharan shared the stage after govt granted sanction to prosecute the latter in the cashew import graft case. Chandrasekharan praised Satheesan, describing him as an energetic CM and added that he did not need to be briefed about INTUC’s activities and workers’ issues.Chandrasekharan said Satheesan’s absence from the previous INTUC programme had been one of the biggest disappointments of his life. In response, Satheesan said he could not attend that event as assembly session was underway.
