THE two-day state committee meeting of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Jammu and Kashmir unit concluded was held in Jammu on December 24-25.  The meeting was presided over by its state president and MLA MY Tarigami.  All India president of CITU, Hemalata was also present in the meeting.  Leaders of various unions affiliated to J&K CITU across the state also participated.

Addressing the meeting, Hemalata stressed that persistent struggles on just and genuine demands of the working class and peasantry is the only remedy to get rid of the exploitative politics. She said that campaign for implementation of the Supreme Court decision regarding “Equal Pay for Equal Work” which started with dharnas, demonstrations and protests across the country from December 22, 2016 will be intensified and continued till January 20, 2017 when the leaders of the CITU will meet the ministry of labour affairs and employment, to impress upon them the need for implementation of this landmark decision. Country-wide dharnas, demonstrations, hartals and protests will be held on January 20, 2017 for covering the scheme workers including ASHAs, MDM, Anganwadi workers/helpers, CPWs under Minimum Wages Act besides bringing them under social security benefits like pensions etc.  On January 19, 2017, CITU in co-ordination with Khet Mazdoor Union will hold nation-wide rallies and demonstrations to resolve the genuine issues of the farmers.  Demonetisation of high denomination notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 have wreck a havoc on daily rated workers mostly in unorganised sector leaving millions of the hapless workers retrenched and wages unpaid till date.  CITU has decided to hold country-wide demonstrations and protests on January 3, 2017 against the fall-outs of the demonetisation mostly on poor segments of the society whose families depend only on daily earnings.

While addressing the meeting, MY Tarigami, president, J&K CITU critised the central government for pursuing anti-working class and pro-corporate policies. Demonetisation drive of the BJP led government at the centre has imposed serious hardships upon the workers, particularly those in the unorganised sector, on the farmers, on the small business people, small traders and street vendors etc. This measure is only intended to help finance capital by sucking in people's money into the banks for their recapitalisation so that they can provide cheap credit to the big corporate and business houses.   He said that state government is insensitive to the economic distress and people’s suffering which have multiplied during the recent unrest in the valley.  He emphasised that united resistance is the only way to fight against the anti-working class policies of the government.

Sham Prasad Kesar, senior leader of CITU moved a resolution regarding deliberate attempt of government of India to communalise the situation in the country as well as in J&K and appealed the working class and common people to remain alert to thwart this divisive move.

The resolution for regularisation of contract workers, casual labourers, daily wagers moved by Om Prakash, general secretary CITU was adopted in the meeting.  Other resolutions regarding simplification of registration of construction and migrant workers were also adopted.  Resolution regarding constitution of board for artisans on the pattern of construction welfare board was also adopted in the meeting.