The 17th Andhra Pradesh State Conference of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) concluded on April 19 after three days of deliberations, rallies, and discussions opposing the Union government’s labour policies under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The conference commenced on Friday, April 17, with a massive rally in Nandyal town. The rally began at the Market Yard and concluded at the Municipal Town Hall, drawing thousands of workers from across the state.

The rally was led by CITU All-India Vice President Dr. K Hemalata, National Treasurer M Saibabu, Andhra Pradesh CITU President A V Nageswara Rao, and General Secretary Ch Narasinga Rao, along with other office-bearers. A large public meeting followed, presided over by A V Nageswara Rao.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. K Hemalata sharply criticised the Modi government’s four labour codes, warning that they would reduce workers to “bonded labour.” She stated that the codes were being implemented hastily without any demand from workers.

Labour Codes Criticised

Describing the labour codes as “a knife on the neck of workers,” Hemalata said they dismantle hard-won labour protections. She criticised the replacement of labour inspectors with “facilitators,” warning that this would weaken enforcement of provisions related to wages, provident fund (PF), bonus, and Employees’ State Insurance (ESI).

She further expressed strong concern that governments, which secure votes from workers, often end up serving corporate interests after coming to power. Highlighting the plight of workers in the unorganised sector, she noted increasing exploitation and growing struggles across the country, citing ongoing worker protests in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

Hemalata pointed out that minimum wages have not been revised for nearly 12 years in several states, including Andhra Pradesh. She alleged that governments are suppressing workers’ struggles instead of addressing their grievances, adding that the situation is particularly severe in BJP-ruled states.

She also criticised the TDP-led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh, headed by N Chandrababu Naidu in alliance with the BJP, for amending labour laws in favour of employers. Despite directives from the Gujarat High Court and the Supreme Court mandating minimum wages for Anganwadi and ASHA workers, she said these have not been implemented.

She called upon workers to follow the direction set by the All-India CITU Conference held in Visakhapatnam and to intensify struggles.

Inaugural Address by Elamaram Kareem

Inaugurating the conference, CITU All-India General Secretary Elamaram Kareem warned delegates about the anti-working-class and pro-corporate policies of the Union government. He stressed that united struggles are the only way to resist the labour codes.

Kareem spoke at length about rising prices, long working hours, job insecurity, and low wages. Referring to recent protests in Noida, he condemned the Uttar Pradesh government’s police action against workers and criticised attempts to label protesting workers as “foreign elements.”

He said the labour codes undermine collective bargaining rights, restrict the right to strike, and threaten the very existence of trade unions. He urged workers to build united struggles to reject these policies.

A resolution demanding the scrapping of the labour codes was passed unanimously amid loud slogans. The conference also adopted key resolutions on Halting the privatisation of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, and Recognising all scheme workers as government employees.

Solidarity Messages

Paladugu Bhaskar, Telangana CITU State General Secretary, called for joint struggles by workers of both Telugu states and emphasised the need for united action alongside issue-based agitations.

Andra Malyadri, State General Secretary of KVPS, warned that the Constitution and public sector institutions are under threat and urged collective action to defend secular values.

B Savithri, General Secretary of AIDWA, called for united struggles against increasing attacks on women and children.

UTF Co-President Suresh Kumar highlighted the need to raise awareness about reforms in the education sector and stressed strengthening government schools to protect constitutional values.

V Venkateswarlu, State General Secretary of AIAWU, urged the working class to lead struggles against exploitation and anti-people policies.

Prabhakara Reddy, State General Secretary of AIKS (Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham), pointed out that marginal farmers and tenant farmers are under severe stress due to free-market policies and global economic pressures. He recalled the successful farmers’ movement against the farm laws and emphasised strengthening worker-peasant unity.

V Srinivasa Rao, Vice President of the Koulu Rythu Sangham, highlighted the deep crisis in rural areas and called for joint struggles led by the working class.

Cuba Solidarity Resolution

On the second day (April 18), the conference passed a resolution expressing solidarity with Cuba amid slogans of “Viva Cuba.” Delegates and organisers contributed donations in support of Cuba, which is facing economic hardships due to U.S. sanctions.

Conference Conclusion and Elections

The conference concluded on April 19 with the unanimous election of Ch Narasinga Rao as President, A V Nageswara Rao as General Secretary, K R K Murthy as Treasurer and K Dhanalakshmi as Convener of the Working Women’s Coordination Committee. A 31-member Secretariat and a 152-member State Committee were also elected.

Participation Details

A total of 575 delegates from 28 districts and 54 sectors attended the conference, including 154 first-time participants. Three delegates had attended all 17 conferences.

Sai Suresh Manikanta (25) from East Godavari was the youngest delegate, while G Balasubramanyam (75) from Tirupati was the oldest.

Among the participants, 169 individuals are facing police cases. The highest number—28 cases—were registered against State Office Bearer Kandharapu Murali, while 12 others face more than ten cases each.