Successful Strike by Municipal Workers in Andhra Pradesh

MUNICIPAL employees in Andhra Pradesh have conducted a 16-day heroic struggle against the state government as it continued its adamant towards the genuine grievances of the lower strata of the society. It is not the case that the demands of the workers are a huge burden, as they are getting a paltry wage of Rs 8,300 at present.

Cutting Back Workers’ Protection Does Not Lead to Stronger Growth

AS the global financial crisis peaked in 2008, some countries, notably in Europe, introduced legislative changes that reduced the level of protection for workers. Against the backdrop of limited fiscal space and rising unemployment, these countries argued that such changes would help stimulate economic growth and job creation but a recent ILO study showed no link between less protection for workers and stronger growth.
DID IT WORK?

The Urgency Behind 46TH Indian Labour Conference

THE 46th Indian Labour Conference (ILC) was held in the national capital’s Vigyan Bhawan on 20TH and 21ST July. Indian Labour Conference is supposed to be the highest tripartite body as far as the issues of labour are concerned. All the three stakeholders – employee, employer and the government – participate, discuss and try to reach conclusions on important issues, decided in advance.

Student Unity against Commercialisation, Centralisation & Communalisation of Education

A NATIONAL Convention against centralisation, commercialisation and communalisation was held on July 28, in New Delhi. Five student organisations namely All India Democratic Students' Organisation, All India Students Bloc, All India Students’ Federation, Progressive Democratic Students Union and Students’ Federation of India were part of the convention.

Protest against CBI Hounding Of Teesta Setalvad Held in Mumbai

AROUND 150 activists from various organisations assembled outside Dadar Railway Station in central Mumbai on July 16 evening to protest against the CBI hounding of Teesta Setalvad and Javed Anand. The DYFI, SFI and AIDWA took the initiative for organising the protest. CPI(M) Central Committee members Mahendra Singh and Sudha Sundararaman, noted film-maker Anand Patwardhan and many well-known intellectuals and artists joined the protest. Students of FTII and TISS also joined it.

Some Reflections on Corporate Capitalism & Authoritarian State

ON the 40th anniversary of emergency, the veteran BJP leader LK Advani remarked that though the political leadership of the country is mature, he was not confident that the country would not face an emergency like situation again. He further added that the forces who could crush democracy had become stronger. This comment has sparked off a debate on the nature of the current NDA-2 regime. In fact the events of the last few months have made it amply clear that this regime is unwilling to tolerate any criticism and is indeed hounding those who dare to oppose it.

The Impasse over Economic Policy

NEWSPAPERS have been full of stories about differences between the Reserve Bank and the finance ministry over economic policy issues. The differences are so sharp that the government is apparently planning to amend the Reserve Bank of India Act to clip the wings of its governor. These differences however are symptomatic of a deeper malaise afflicting the Indian economy.

Peasants, Agricultural Workers and Rural Artisans’ Demands Day on Sept 1

EIGHT organisations of kisans, agricultural workers and rural artisans, at a joint meeting on 21ST July, decided to organise a “Campaign Fortnight” from 16TH to 31ST August throughout the country on the issues being faced by them. Joint meetings of cadres, mass meetings, seminars, torchlight processions and other programmes will be organised at block, taluk and district levels to draw the attention of public in general against the anti-people policies of the governments.

Thinking Together

• What is the difference between left parties and democratic parties? Which are left parties and which are democratic parties? Are DMDK of Vijayakanth and Tamil Manila Congress of GK Vasan democratic parties? If not, what are they?
R Jawahar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai

First Rajasthan State Convention of Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch Held

THE first Rajasthan State Convention of Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch (DSMM) was held on July 25 in Jaipur. The convention highlighted the prevailing conditions of the state’s Dalit population and took resolve to take up fight to meet the challenges. Delegates from various districts expressed deep concern over the increasing exploitation and oppression of Dalits in the ongoing phase of neo-liberalism. There is not a single district in Rajasthan where Dalits are not discriminated against, oppressed and exploited.

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