IT was a truly historic and unprecedented manifestation of worker-peasant unity in action. Such a widespread nationwide struggle with the participation of such a broad spectrum of trade unions and peasant organisations had never been seen in India since independence.Tens of thousands of workers, peasants and agricultural labourers thronged the capitals of almost all states in the country for three days from November 26 to 28, 2023, in actions that ranged from mahapadavs (sit-in struggles) to rallies to marches to the Raj Bhawans (governors’ mansions).

MASSIVE participation marked the 72 Hour Mahadharani (Mahapadav) during November 26-28, at Bangalore on the call of joint nation-wide call given by Samyuktha Kisan Morcha and Central Trade Unions. In Karnataka, Mahadharani was organised by SHK (Samyukta Horata Karnataka – a united platform of struggles of kisan, agricultural workers, dalit, women's, student and youth organisations and trade unions) and JCTU (Joint Committee of Trade Unions – a platform of state units of Central TUs and state level independent Employees’ Federations of various sectors).

DESPITE restrictions and severe cold conditions, hundreds activists of CITU and Jammu Kashmir Apple Farmers Federation assembled at Press Enclave Srinagar and held protest demonstrations on November 26, against anti-people, anti-worker and anti-farmer policies of the government. The protesters were shouting slogans against the government.While addressing the demonstration, CITU president Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami expressed serious concern over problems being faced by the common people.

BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh and much-hyped ‘model state’ Gujarat pay lowest; and LDF-ruled Kerala pays highest wages to the workers, noted the latest report of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the Financial Year (FY) 2022-23. A male agricultural worker got Rs 229.2 in MP and Rs 241.9 in Gujarat as daily wage, below the national average of Rs 345.7. For 25 working days in a month it amounts to just around Rs 5,730 in MP and Rs 6,047 in Gujarat.As per the rating firm Crisil, the cost of a veg-thali was Rs 27.9/day or Rs 840/month and a non-veg-thali Rs 61.4/day in September 2023.

THE Trade Union International (TUI) Transport 15th World Congress concluded with resounding slogans of "Workers of the World Unite - TUI (T) Zindabad." The TUI (T) comprises transport, ports, fisheries, and communications and is an integral part of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU). The Congress took place in Athens, Greece, from November 21-22, 2023.