THE Indian Workers' Association (IWA) (GB) held its national conference on November 24, at Comrade Sitaram Yechury Hall in Leicester. Despite the inclement weather brought on by Storm Bert, scores of delegates from across Britain gathered with a renewed sense of purpose and solidarity to discuss pressing issues and reaffirm the IWA's commitment to supporting the working class, migrants, and global justice. 

 The IWA, now in its 86th year, remains a vital force in championing the rights of workers, immigrants, and marginalised communities. The conference provided a platform for delegates to reflect on the organisation’s past achievements and to engage with emerging challenges faced by new generations of workers, including students and young people from migrant backgrounds. 

A key focus was strengthening collaboration with trade unions and advancing solidarity between workers in the UK and those facing struggles globally. Delegates engaged in an in-depth, self-critical discussion of the national general secretary's report, presented by Leyose Paul, and unanimously endorsed the collective work of the central executive committee (CEC). 

The participation of young workers, students, and women was a highlight of the conference, with many sharing their experiences of exploitation, rising student fees, and increasing precarity, especially among vulnerable sections of society, including the elderly. The conference also addressed a range of critical issues, including climate change, discrimination, the exploitation of unpaid labour, and the hostile environment faced by migrants and refugees. 

Among the resolutions adopted was a call for a formal apology from the UK government for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, an apology promised in 2019 by the Labour Party but not yet delivered. The delegates emphasised the need for teaching British colonial history as part of the national curriculum, arguing that the benefits for social cohesion and national progress would be enormous. 

 In line with its longstanding internationalist tradition, the IWA reaffirmed its solidarity with Cuba and Palestine, calling for an end to the economic blockade of Cuba and for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Palestine. The conference condemned Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza, which have led to the deaths of over 45,000 people, most of them children, and called for an immediate end to the blockade and the lifting of the occupation. The IWA called for an end to Israeli apartheid policies and for the recognition of Palestinian refugees' right to return. In addressing the ongoing violence in Gaza, the IWA strongly rejected any language that frames the situation as a mere "conflict" or "war." Delegates emphasised that the root cause of the violence is Israeli settler-colonial occupation and apartheid, which must be addressed to achieve lasting peace in the region. The IWA also expressed its commitment to supporting the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign as a means of holding Israel accountable for its actions.

 The conference also received messages of solidarity from various organisations. Josen Jose from the Malayali cultural organisation, Kairali UK, recognised the IWA’s historical role in building migrant organisations. The Students’ Federation of India (UK) message of support was eloquently delivered by Nupur Paliwal, highlighting the IWA’s potential to bridge the gap for international students in Britain. Pervez Fateh, representing the Awami Workers Party and the South Asian Peoples Forum, also offered greetings, recalling the important historical connections between his organisation and the IWA, particularly through Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet and Comrade Sitaram Yechury. 

 The conference concluded with a moving tribute to the late Comrade Sitaram Yechury, whose enduring political legacy continues to inspire workers’ struggles worldwide. A video message from Gawain Little, general secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU), was also shown, further reinforcing the importance of strengthening ties between the IWA and broader trade union movements. 

 As part of the proceedings, the IWA elected a new central executive committee to lead the organisation forward. Harsev Bains was elected as the new national president, succeeding Dyal Bagri, who stepped down after serving as national president for several years. In his final act as president, Bagri launched the IWA’s new website, emphasising the need to defend and expand the organisation’s activities. The IWA’s newly elected leadership includes vice presidents Aswathy Ashok and Sreekumar JS, national general secretary: Leyose Paul, assistant secretary: Priya Rajan, treasurer: Avtar Singh, women's secretary: Preet Bains, youth secretary: Ashik Muhammad Naser, and media and membership coordinator: Vishal Udayakumar. 

 The conference closed with chants of solidarity and resistance, with delegates reaffirming their commitment to the struggle for workers' rights, global peace, and justice.