THE working class in Telangana is currently facing numerous challenges. Workers in various sectors are being compelled to go on prolonged strikes, organised by CITU or Joint Action Committees. The government's stubborn and one-sided approach is exacerbating the situation, leading to unrest. Despite these difficulties, the working class is putting up a strong fight, facing intolerance from government officials.

The united and determined efforts of the working class have forced the government to address the problems at hand. Workers from different sectors, including scheme workers, municipal employees, gram panchayat workers, industrial workers, and homeless people, are all actively engaged in their respective struggles. For example, around 43,415 gram panchayat workers out of 50,000, from 12,400 panchayats, have been on an indefinite strike since July 6. Even the sweepers from government schools have joined the strike.

Recently, thousands of anganwadi workers also participated in protests across the state after conducting a significant three-day strike. Despite facing bureaucratic resistance and intolerance from officials, the anganwadi workers remained undeterred, wearing black sarees during protest actions. Their demands include a minimum wage of Rs 26,000 per month, implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on gratuity, resolution of pending issues in the state, and the scrapping of the New Education Policy.

On July 10, over 30,000 anganwadi workers took part in dharnas, along with participating in a 10 km walk, to further assert their demands and bring attention to their plight. The working class continues to stand united, determined to achieve their rightful demands despite the challenges they face.

Mid-day meal workers across the state went on a three-day strike, demanding the implementation of the chief minister's decision to increase their wages by Rs 2,000. The announcement was made in the state assembly on March 15, 2022. During the strike, 13,200 workers demanded arrears, the release of budget for a new menu, and the fulfillment of the main demand – the promised wage increase. As part of their protest, they held massive dharnas outside tehsil offices and collectorates. In response to the strike, officials cleared bills in some districts. The minister openly assured that the issues would be addressed, and the budget would be released within a week.

The state government had attempted to make a test mandatory for ASHAs to continue their services, but the ASHAs fought back. Around 8,570 ASHAs from 650 primary health centres participated in the dharnas. During a teleconference while dharnas were going on, the minister promised to resolve all problems except the fixed wage issue. He also promised to implement maternity leave, establish rest rooms in hospitals, provide registers, quality uniforms, and prepare a job chart.

The central labour commissioner agreed to look at the problems faced by Singareni contract workers, who were demanding the management to implement the agreement reached with the joint action committee during the strike held by them. Contract and outsourcing employees from Polytechnic colleges and Government Textbook Press also fought for the reinstatement of 206 employees who were removed from services, and they achieved partial success. Similarly, contract and outsourcing employees from universities fought for wage increases and achieved partial success as well.

In another struggle, homeless poor people who had occupied government lands and built huts in 64 centres across 19 districts were able to maintain their situations in many centres. Despite facing police repression in some instances and pressures from revenue and municipal officials, the poor people are continuing their struggle.

Before these struggles, 20,700 village revenue assistants initiated an indefinite strike that lasted for 80 days, organised by the joint action committee (JAC). The village panchayat secretaries from 9,750 panchayats also joined the cause, going on a prolonged strike for 30 days under the leadership of the JAC. Likewise, 16,000 contract workers from Singareni Collieries went on strike for 18 days, following the JAC's call. Additionally, 18,000 IKP VOAs participated in a 44-day strike under the leadership of CITU. As a result of appropriate intervention of the CITU leadership, all of these strikes were eventually resolved. The intensity of the problems and the workers' frustration in their respective sectors made these prolonged and joint struggles inevitable. Unfortunately, the government's adamant and one-sided attitude acted as a hurdle and further complicated matters. Higher officials also displayed a similar unyielding stance and even refused to receive representations on certain occasions.

The government and higher officials demonstrated a lack of tolerance towards strikes and failed to respect the collective bargaining rights of the workers. Despite their bureaucratic and stubborn disposition, they were forced to address the issues raised by the workers, except in the electricity sector. Regrettably, the main unions in the joint action committee (JAC) representing the electricity workers surrendered to the management, preventing a strike action. This situation highlights the significance of strengthening CITU's presence in the electricity sector.

Despite continuous agitations and struggles for the last two years, the government remains silent on the issue of minimum wages in the state. To demand the revision of minimum wages in 73 scheduled industries, a statewide agitation was conducted from June 12. CITU took the initiative and organised a jeep jatha, covering 24 industrial areas in and around Hyderabad, directly engaging with the workers. The significant turnout of workers in the dharnas held at collectorates on July 14 indicates the severity of the problem and the unrest prevailing among workers. This issue affects around one crore workers in the state.

The practice of regular employment is becoming rare, and contractorisation is rampant, with more than 50 per cent of workers being migrants from North India. Migrant workers are not only found in industries but also in the unorganised sector, such as hamalies, construction workers, and transport workers. Their working and living conditions in their residential areas are miserable. Some migrant workers are placed within the compound walls of certain companies and are treated as if they were slaves. The Migrant Workers Act, designed to protect their rights, is not being properly implemented by government officials. Migrant workers are looking for solidarity and assistance from the local trade union movement to address their grievances and improve their situation.

Apart from the action programme which resulted in one lakh homeless poor fighting for their rights for the last 15 months and occupying government lands and constructing huts, CITU conducted a survey in selected areas, including some municipal wards and villages on the housing issue. The limited survey identified more than one lakh additional homeless poor who promptly applied for house sites. This highlights the severity of the problem. The poor people participated in the dharnas held at collectorates on July 3, further emphasizing the importance of the issue. The government cannot divert attention by promoting the Gruhalaxmi Scheme, which fails to address the core problem.

An essential aspect of this struggle is the overwhelming response from women who are actively fighting for houses and house sites. Despite facing police attacks and harassment, these women remain determined and prepared to face even legal cases and imprisonment. They continue to occupy the sites day and night. The need for privacy, protection, and a safe place to change clothes and care for their girl children, is greatly felt. The demand for toilets and bathrooms is crucial, as it directly impacts their self-respect and dignity.

Even in the face of those who tried to instigate Muslim men against women by citing religious reasons, the Muslim women responded firmly, asserting their right to stay in open lands at night. This dispels the notion that the struggle for houses and house sites is just one among many other problems. It holds special significance due to the collective determination of the marginalised people, especially the women, who are united in their fight for a secure and dignified living space.

Nowadays, the media ignores the struggles of the working class. However, they could not overlook the militant resistance of homeless poor women and the massive mobilisations led by anganwadi workers.

It is not surprising that the government, which stands for the interests of capitalists and contractors, shows little tolerance for the working class struggles. Ministers and some MLAs from the ruling party are not hesitant to express their disapproval of these strikes. One minister even suggested that the workers engage in strikes due to being influenced by 'occult politics.' Such statements reinforce the negative attitude of government officials and local representatives towards workers' rights.

Some MLAs go as far as blaming CITU for creating obstacles, while certain collectors argue that CITU instigates workers to go on strikes. However, it is essential for them to recognise that workers resort to strikes only when they see no alternative to resolve their issues. They should also acknowledge that ministers and officers have had to engage with union representatives in discussions to resolve matters on numerous occasions. It is the responsibility of the unions to lead workers whenever they require support.

Moreover, they should be aware that the unrest among workers can be exploited by communal forces to divert attention from the main issues for political gain if the government does not address these problems in a timely manner. The government must prioritise the just issues of the poor workers instead of focusing on false prestige and ego. Fair treatment and timely resolution of workers' problems are crucial for the welfare of the society.