Shillong, July 27: Domestic workers in Meghalaya under the banner of All Meghalaya Domestic Workers’ Union (AMDWU) have expressed strong opposition against the Centre’s draft Code on Social Security and Welfare, 2018.

Addressing media persons here on Friday, AMDWU Elbina Nongkhlaw said, as a mark of protest against the draft code, a delegation of the union will participate at a rally to be held in New Delhi on August 2.

“We demand that the government should reconsider introducing the social security code which seeks to harass especially the unorganized workers,” she said.

Stating that the code in its present form restricts workers in many ways, Nongkhlaw said, “There is restriction on freedom of association, on outsiders holding trade union office and on the right to strike.”

Moreover, she said, as per section 103 (14), participation in illegal strike shall be punishable with fine of a minimum of Rs 20,000 up to Rs 50,000 or with imprisonment of one month or both.

According to her, this was forced despite the fact that the informal/unorganized sectors can only survive with their right to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

On the other hand, the union’s vice president Wanpynhun Kharsyntiew said, the new labour codes certainly provide for ease of business, strengthening the role of the employers but in the name of simplification and efficiency, they erode all the gains that the working class fought for in the past 70 odd years.

“We think that these new labour codes have to be withdrawn in their present form and it should not get passed during this parliament session,” she said.

Kharsyntiew said the union will also submit representations to Members of Parliament from the state to oppose the labour codes.

“We would also invite them (MPs) to participate in the upcoming rally,” she said.

She further pointed out that under the new labour codes, the existing state welfare boards will be done away with to form the central welfare board besides workers would also have to contribute up to 12.5 percent to the welfare board.