Srinagar: On the occasion of International Labour Day, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)State president Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami Sunday said that united struggles are the only way to resist the onslaught of “govt’s anti-labour policies”.
Speaking at a rally at Press Enclave, Srinagar, Tarigami extended greetings to the working people who he said “have been in continuous struggles to defend their rights, livelihood and paid rich tributes to Chicago martyrs of 1886.”
He said that the BJP-led government is trying to erode whatever achievement has been made by the working class. “Whatever has been left is being snatched away from them. Harsh measures are being taken against the working class across the country instead of addressing their issues.
“The policies pursued by the BJP-led government have resulted in job losses and attacks on the livelihood of common people have increased. The government is trying to promote such issues which create communal division among people,” he said, adding that the working class has tremendous tasks in these challenging times to continue building broader possible unity to defend their natural resources and national assets.
“Job loss continues with many establishments closed down, and technology also eating up many jobs. The labour codes were passed in Parliament without discussion when the whole opposition was on walk-out, and without the laid procedures. Union activities are dubbed as anti-national. People are harassed. Bulldozer politics is being made a new norm to target poor ‘bastis’,” he said.
Paying tributes to “Zaldagar martyrs” of 1865, Tarigami said that they laid the foundation of a struggle against the exploitation and atrocities on the artisans, a prominent section of the working class.
“This shawlbaff protest has given vent to numerous movements of the working class. The traditional artisans and weavers also reap little benefits of their hard toil,” he said.
He demanded a social security board for these artisans on the pattern of Construction Welfare Board and loan waivers to them.
Mohmad Afzal Parry, CITU leader said the staff under NHM including ASHAs working as frontline workers are getting meager incentives. ASHA workers have been fighting for better remuneration or a fixed salary, a demand that has never conceded so far.
Mid-Day Meal workers, CPWs, MGNREGA employees, contractuals, HDF, construction workers, need-based, seasonal, casual labouers, daily-wagers are neglected and their long-pending demands are not met. Daily-wagers/casual labourers are awaiting their regularization which is quite disappointing, he said, adding that the workers under ICDS including Anganwari workers, helpers are getting meager wages.
