The Communist Party of India’s State executive member P. Kameswara Rao has called on the Union government to immediately withdraw all four Labour Codes. Speaking to The Hindu on February 2, he said these codes benefit only companies, not workers. Over 40 existing Acts that protected workers were removed without proper talks in Parliament. “We request all workers to take part in the nation-wide strike proposed on February 12 to demand reintroduction of Labour Laws to ensure job protection and 8 hours-work. The introduction of 10 hours of work in a day is resulting in the deterioration of the health of workers. It is also leading to job losses as companies needed workers only for two shifts instead of three shifts,” said Kameswara Rao. He also demanded the government set the minimum wage at ₹26,000 to match rising inflation. The party is holding meetings in Garividi, Kothavalasa, Vizianagaram and other areas to gather support for the strike. Leaders from the All India Trade Union Congress, such as president S. Ranga Raju and general secretary Bugata Ashok, are distributing pamphlets to raise public awareness about the “injustice” caused by the new Labour Codes.