New labour laws in India have split the country, Nikkei Asia reports. The bills aim to let companies hire and fire workers more easily and cut down on unions’ ability to strike. As part of the legal overhaul, the government has also introduced a category of so-called fixed-time workers - temporary employees who can be hired for a fixed period for a specific job for which they are qualified, offering an opportunity in core business operations for those with the appropriate skills. While the new legislation has been widely welcomed by the business community, trade unions have accused the government of taking away labour rights that have been won over a hundred years and more.