THE Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), in a statement issued on June 19, has called upon the working class across India to unite and prepare for a nationwide Demands Day on July 10, 2024. This decision was taken during the CITU secretariat meeting held on June 17-18, 2024, in Delhi, where the current political and economic situation post the 18th Lok Sabha elections was discussed.

In the recent elections, the BJP lost its absolute majority from the 2014 and 2019 elections and now leads the NDA government with the support of allies, primarily the TDP and JD(U). Despite this change, the CITU secretariat noted that the neoliberal policies are likely to continue unabated.

Key issues like unemployment, price rise, and working conditions became a part of the electoral campaign because of the persistent campaigns and struggles of the working class during the decade-long BJP rule. However, the secretariat observed that the new government has already signaled its commitment to the existing neoliberal agenda with moves such as the notification of labour codes, reduced penalties for employer defaults on EPF dues, and the continuation of privatisation through initiatives like the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP).

In response, the CITU has resolved to launch an immediate campaign to build strong grassroots resistance against these policies. The first phase involves organising tehsil and district-level dharnas and agitations across all states on July 10, 2024. The demands for this action are as follows:

Repeal the labour codes.

Scrap the NMP and halt other privatisation efforts.

Ensure a minimum wage of Rs 26,000 per month for all workers.

Provide job security for contract workers, including continuity of employment when contractors change and equal wages and benefits for contract workers doing the same job as the permanent workers; Scrap Agniveer, Ayudhveer and Koylaveer and other Fixed Term Employments.

Withdraw notifications that reduce penalties for employers defaulting on EPF, EPS, and EDLI dues.

Replace the National Pension System (NPS) with the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and ensure a minimum pension of Rs 9,000 or more for EPS pensioners.

Recognise anganwadi workers, ASHAs, midday meal workers, and other scheme workers as formal workers and provide them with minimum wages and social security benefits, including pensions.

Address any additional local demands as necessary.

The All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers (AIFAWH) will also observe Demands Day on July 10, continuing their tradition from previous years.

CITU has called upon all working people to ensure the success of this nationwide protest.