New Delhi: The Workers India Federation (WIF), the national workers’ organization of the Catholic Church in India, has called for the urgent enactment of a fifth labor code dedicated exclusively to unorganized workers, who make up nearly 94% of the country’s workforce. The demand was raised at the WIF National Assembly held at the Pastoral Centre, Bhopal, from August 22–24, 2025, and emerged as the central resolution of the gathering.
WIF leaders pointed out that the government’s recent effort to consolidate 29 existing labor laws into four labor codes has largely overlooked the legal rights and social security entitlements of informal workers. According to the federation, only a distinct legal framework can ensure equity in development and protect the most vulnerable workers from systemic neglect. The Annual General Body Meeting resolved to petition the Union Government to formulate and enact the fifth code before the implementation of the existing four codes.
The Assembly was inaugurated by Most Rev. Dr. Alex Vadakumthala, Bishop of Kannur and Chairman of the CBCI Office for Labor, who underlined that social security cannot be left to fragmented measures and requires comprehensive legislation. Archbishop A.A.S. Durairaj of Bhopal, in his keynote address, also stressed that unorganized workers remain the backbone of India’s economy yet continue to be excluded from mainstream welfare frameworks.
Over the three-day deliberations, speakers consistently emphasized the need for job security, stable employment, and robust socio-economic safeguards for informal workers, particularly women and migrants. As a major outcome, WIF announced the creation of a “WIF Forum for Women Unorganized Workers”, a new platform aimed at amplifying women laborers’ voices and ensuring their access to justice, support, and empowerment.
More than 100 delegates representing 14 regions across the country took part in the discussions. The sessions were presided over by Antony Selvanathan, National President of WIF, while the annual activity report was presented by Rev. Fr. George Nirappukalayil, WIF Director and National Secretary of the CBCI Office for Labor.
Thematic sessions on workers’ rights, social protection, and strategies for organization were led by experts including Joy Gothuruth, Joseph Jude, and Sebastian Palamparambil, among others. Prominent contributors to the deliberations included Fr. Shinto Abraham, Sameer Lakra, Dr. Hemant Kumar, Sr. Adv. Jasmine Jose, Priti Rose Kullu, Feliza Goes, Sr. Christy, Paschal Raphael, Joseph Varghese, and Ajit Digal.
The event was coordinated by the regional leadership of WIF–Madhya Pradesh, ensuring smooth organization and wide participation. Delegates concluded with a united voice: unless the government acts swiftly to introduce a special code for India’s vast unorganized workforce, inclusive and equitable development will remain an unfulfilled promise.