AIFAWH ‘Lalkar Diwas’: Anganwadi Workers Challenge Modi Govt

A CRUCIAL section of Covid-19 frontline workers – all women and ill-treated all through – has been fighting the dual dangers of the pandemic and the increased hunger and malnutrition due to the lockdown. Not even considered as “workers” by the government, Anganwadi workers and helpers, ASHA workers and Mid-day Meal workers have been risking their lives as they worked to alleviate the sufferings of the people during the pandemic as India’s ruling class is busy toppling governments, selling off the country’s assets and sovereignty.

Working Class Comes Out to Confront Challenges

Workers were asked to step out of their houses to step up the struggle. They not only stepped out, but started marching on the streets.

CTUs Congratulate Coal Workers

THE Central Trade Unions, in a statement issued on July 2, have congratulated the coal workers for the grand beginning of the three days strike call from July 2-4, given by all unions and federations active in the coal industry, in all places of activities in the coal sector. The reports from ground show that the first and second shifts have registered 100 per cent strike. The attendance for supply of electricity, water and health services was also very minimal. The unions/federations had served the strike notice on June 18, 2020.

CTUs Call for Protest on July 3

THE Central Trade Unions (CTUs) – INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC – in their meeting on June 3, 2020, congratulated the workers for responding enthusiastically to the nation-wide protest call demanding immediate halt to changes in labour laws. The meeting took serious note of the continuous aggressive attack on the workers’ rights ignoring all the joint representations to the government on the matter including the nationwide protest on May 22. They called upon the workers to make success the nationwide protest day on July 3.

CITU Foundation Day Observed with Fervour

The central trade unions, which met on June 3 decided to intensify the joint struggle. They called for observing July 3, 2020 as a Protest Day all over the country. They also decided to observe non-cooperation and defiance against the government’s anti-national, anti-people and anti-worker policies, the concrete form of which will be formulated soon.

Protest against Nullification of Labour Laws

THE first joint trade union action, against the attempts of different state governments to nullify labour laws and push workers into slave like conditions, was held across the country on May 22, 2020. The leaders of the central trade unions who were available in Delhi decided to observe fast at Raj Ghat in New Delhi. But soon after they sat on fast they were taken into custody by the police and taken to the police station, from where they were released only in the evening.

Rebuff the Attacks on Working Class Rights

DURING its first term, the Modi led BJP government fast tracked the process of dismantling the labour laws that provided some protection to the workers, though to a very small section of them. It embarked upon codification of the 44 central labour laws into 4 codes. When this met with stiff resistance from all central trade unions with massive countrywide strikes, it was the BJP led state governments that carried the baton to amend labour laws in their respective states, Rajasthan taking the lead.

CITU Calls Upon Frontline Workers to Observe Demands Day on May 14

AS Covid-19 cases increase in the country, there has been an alarming rise in the number of frontline workers getting infected with the deadly virus, mainly due to the lack of safety gears. At least four senior doctors have reportedly died so far due to the novel coronavirus. Nurses and other hospital employees, including sanitation workers at the bottom of the hierarchy, who are more prone to infection are getting infected in large scale. Many hospitals had to be closed.

CITU Condemns Enquiry against IRS Officers For Suggesting Tax Hikes on the Rich

THE Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), in an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 28, condemned the action taken by the central government against 50 Revenue Service Officers for their report suggesting tax-hike on the rich. It said that the government’s action was thoroughly unjust and autocratic.

Trade Unions Oppose Move to Amend Factories Act to Enhance Working Hours

CENTRAL trade unions have opposed any move by the government to amend the Factories Act to enhance the weekly working hours to 72 in the guise of "exceptional circumstances” posed by the coronavirus outbreak. The trade unions – INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, and UTUC – referred to media reports on the proposed amendments and demanded that the government clarify its stand.

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