Challenges and Triumphs: The Continuing Struggles of Telangana
S Veeraiah
THE working class in Telangana continues to make progress as their struggles intensify. The demand for housing and house sites is on the rise. Workers from various sectors, including anganwadi, ASHA, gram panchayat, school sweepers, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan employees, and various temporary employees in the medical and health department, have gone on indefinite strikes. The state government has failed to fulfill its promises to anganwadi and gram panchayat workers and is attempting to reconsider the minimum wages set for five scheduled industries, which were previously agreed upon by the government, in favour of management. Despite facing severe repression from the government, these struggles are advancing.
The struggle for housing and house sites began 17 months ago and has now expanded to 67 centres in 19 districts. The latest additions include Wajedu in Mulugu district, Jagityal town, and Kandi in Sangareddy district. In Mahabubabad, huts have been demolished for the twelfth time with the support of local BRS MLA, Sankar Nayak. Despite this, the poor residents are determined to remain on the land. In Gopalapuram of Hanmakonda district, the local BRS corporator is allegedly linked to the goondas who attacked the hut dwellers. But instead, the police have filed cases against the victims. In Kandi, police forcibly removed the hut dwellers at 3 am and destroyed all the huts. Nevertheless, the poor residents continue their fight. Party state secretariat members S Veeraiah and G Nagaiah, along with state committee member R Venkatramulu, visited the area to show their support. Real estate land grabbers are attempting to take over these lands.
Workers from various sectors gathered in Hyderabad and held massive protests to voice their demands. Anganwadi workers planned and prepared for a militant resistance, converged in Hyderabad in large numbers on the 24th day of their strike. The government was compelled to initiate discussions, resulting in an agreement between finance minister T Harish Rao, minister for women and child welfare, Sathyavathi Rathode, and union leaders of CITU and AITUC.
Thousands of anganwadi workers and helpers held extensive protests at all collectorates and CDPO offices during their strike period. The government agreed to extend Pay Revision Commission (PRC) benefits and interim relief to the anganwadis. Additionally, it committed to providing Rs 2 lakh as a retirement benefit for teachers and one lakh for aayas. The government also pledged to upgrade mini anganwadi centers, fix a retirement age of 65 years, and offer voluntary retirement options based on health grounds. Furthermore, it agreed to provide financial assistance for funeral expenses. The understanding reached was overwhelmingly welcomed by anganwadi workers.
A total of 32,600 gram panchayat workers participated in dharnas near collectorates demanding wage increases, regularisation, and the elimination of the multipurpose system. Hundreds of workers even reached the residence of minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao, to protest. However, the police arrested 200 workers, detaining them for two days.
Subsequently, these workers went on an indefinite strike, leading the government to relent and agree to provide insurance coverage, financial assistance for funerals, and a commitment to address other demands promptly.
The strike was called off with this understanding after lasting for 34 days. However, the government's response has since been lacking, prompting thousands of workers to rally in Hyderabad and issue a warning to the government.
ASHA workers are demanding a fixed monthly pay of Rs 18,000 and have held dharnas at collectorates, with the participation of 15,000 ASHA workers. These workers have also taken part in dharnas at primary health centres. However, during a rally in Hyderabad, 5,000 ASHA workers were arrested to obstruct their participation in the rally. Since September 25th, 16,573 ASHA workers have been on strike.
In the medical and health department, the government attempted to fill 1,520 posts with new applicants, disregarding eligible temporary workers who have been working for years under different designations. In response, 6,000 employees went on strike for 20 days. As a result, the government increased the number of posts by 490, raised the service weightage from 20 to 30 marks, and extended the age limit from 49 to 53 years. This understanding was reached after a massive dharna at the directorate.
Additionally, 17,000 health mission employees went on strike for a week but called it off based on promises made by the director. However, the government issued a circular to increase wages for mid day meal workers by Rs 2,000, which has not been implemented. Pending bills and a lack of budget increase and changed menu have also caused dissatisfaction. Promises made after a three-day strike were not fulfilled, leading to an indefinite strike again from September 28, with 3,106 workers rallying in Hyderabad.
Municipal workers have staged dharnas at 34 commissionerates, demanding regularisation and wage increases, with the participation of 9,200 workers. Government school sweepers have been on strike for 80 days, and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan employees have also gone on strike for 20 days.
A series of spontaneous strikes have occurred within Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, government school sweepers, and GHMC workers, underscoring the widespread unrest among the workforce. Notably, a unique aspect of these strikes during this period has been the workers' decision to hold dharnas at the residences of MLAs, applying pressure on the government. When gram panchayat workers staged dharnas at the MLAs' houses, 42 MLAs responded positively and voiced their support for the workers in the assembly.
Another distinctive feature is the massive rallies in Hyderabad, involving thousands of workers from various sectors. Particularly, employees directly or indirectly associated with the government have embarked on these struggles, hoping that the government will address their issues, especially given the upcoming elections. They also expressed that despite the government's claim that Telangana state is prosperous, it has yet to adequately resolve their problems.
Dharnas and rallies were held at the state headquarters across various sectors, including '104' category employees in the medical and health department, contract and outsourcing workers from different departments, universities, and electricity workers. Construction workers, hamalies, security guards, and private transport workers also organised dharnas at the state headquarters. Workers from Mission Bhageeratha in five districts were also engaged in ongoing struggles.
In Ramagundam, 3,000 contract workers at NTPC staged a 10-hour sit-in strike at the head office, successfully resolving their problems. In Asifabad district, 350 workers from Girijan Ashram schools went on a four-day strike and held daily dharnas at the collectorate to address pending wage issues, which were ultimately resolved. Additionally, 400 dumping yard workers in Medchal district initiated a tool-down strike, leading to the resolution of their problems.
When Singareni workers entered the chambers of the central labour commissioner in large numbers, he promised to intervene and assist in resolving their issues.
The government responded to the ongoing struggles with a heavy-hand. At various collectorates, police resorted to lathi charges against anganwadis. In Narayanpet, a CITU leader was charged under Section 307 for leading an anganwadi protest march, falsely accused of attacking a circle inspector of police. Additionally, CITU and AITUC district secretaries in Adilabad were banned from entering the city for ten days.
Government officials also resorted to unlawfully breaking the locks of anganwadi centres, forcing the anganwadi workers to file complaints at police stations. They attempted to coerce panchayat secretaries, IKP-VOAs, and RPs into working as strikebreakers in anganwadi centres but were unsuccessful, as these officials were aware of the government's stance and had recently been on an indefinite strike themselves.
Non-bailable cases were filed against over 50 anganwadi workers, and officials threatened gram panchayat workers with severe consequences, including potential termination if they continued to strike. Despite these challenges, the striking workers remained resolute. In fact, many who had initially hesitated joined the strike in several districts. Notably, 2,650 anganwadis joined the CITU, from a pro-government union, during the strike.
Officials collected personal information of all electricity workers who participated in the rally in Hyderabad and threatened them with severe actions. Nevertheless, 314 workers from pro-management unions openly joined CITU despite these threats.
The government has resorted to undemocratic measures in its attempts to suppress these struggles. They displayed a clear unwillingness to accept any form of strike or protest action and have shown a lack of tolerance for dissenting voices. They neither address the problems nor tolerate any form of organised struggle. They openly assert that any concessions are granted solely at the mercy of the chief minister, rather than as a right. These actions are unconstitutional and run counter to the laws of the land.
During strikes, the government has refused to engage in discussions with the unions and instead has tried to pressure them into withdrawing their strike before any dialogue with officials or the government can take place. In some cases, the government has unilaterally announced concessions or agreements with unions of their choosing, bypassing the striking unions altogether. They have shown reluctance to sit down with the striking unions.
Despite these challenges, the collective strength of the working class has compelled the government to announce several benefits during these strikes. Ministers and officials have been forced to engage in discussions with the leaders of striking workers and reach settlements. Even those ministers and officials who previously resisted recognising collective bargaining rights have had to negotiate across the table.
In an act of solidarity, local villagers and beneficiaries, in many anganwadi centres came to the aid of anganwadi workers and resisted authorities attempting to break the locks. This demonstrates that when the working class serves the people and maintains strong community relations, the public tends to support the united working-class movement.
