AMIDST the scorching heatwave, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) in the state of Tamil Nadu successfully conducted a padayatra campaign addressing crucial issues affecting workers, peasants, agricultural workers, working women, and the youth across the state. The padayatra campaign commenced on May 20, from seven locations in Tamil Nadu, namely Kanyakumari, Coimbatore, Hosur, Tenkasi, Cuddalore, Thiruvallur, and Chennai, and covered all the districts.

The state conference of the CITU held in December 2022, gave a call to its workers to conduct a padayatra campaign across the state, focusing on crucial workers' issues. The state committee prepared a 14-point charter, highlighting key demands such as preventing the privatisation of public sector undertakings (PSUs), repealing the four labour codes, addressing the escalating prices of essential commodities, filling existing vacancies in central and state government and PSUs, refraining from outsourcing and contractualising jobs, repealing the Electricity Bill, and ensuring a minimum wage of Rs 26,000 per month.

Periodical meetings of the state secretariat, district committee, and affiliated unions were conducted to prepare a roadmap for the successful execution of the padayatra campaign.

CITU organised a series of meetings with fraternal organisations like TNGEA, AIIEA, BEFI, and other mass and class organisations. These organisations actively participated in the campaign and extended a warm reception in almost every district. The welcoming ceremonies included bursting crackers, presenting shawls, and distributing books.

The ICDS Union and the newly formed MakkalaiThediMaruthuvam Union played a vital role in the padayatra campaign. Not only did their members actively participate in the campaign, but they also warmly welcomed the visiting groups in all the districts.

On May 20, senior most leaders of the trade union movement in Tamil Nadu, including TK Rangarajan, AK Padhmanabhan, PR Natrajan, MP, and others, inaugurated the padayatras through public meetings held at each of the seven locations. Prior to the campaign, a series of discussions and committee meetings were conducted involving the seven groups. The groups were headed by seven state office bearers of the CITU, and led by seven convenors. A total of approximately 210 participants, including 40 women, actively participated in the padayatra. During the course of the padayatra, the groups paid homage to the martyrs of the working class movement, such as P Ramamurthy, K Ramani, Keel Venmani, and also laid wreaths at the memorials of Lenin, Karl Marx, Ambedkar, and M Singaravelar as a mark of respect and remembrance.

In Kanyakumari, the campaign began at Kaliyakavalai and covered densely populated areas in Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, Madurai, and Ramanathapuram before reaching Madurai on May 30. During the campaign, various segments of the workforce were approached, including rubber estate workers, fishermen, salt workers, contract workers at NTPCL, cracker workers, match-making workers, vessel-making workers, and other unorganised workers.

In Coimbatore, the campaign commenced from the industrial corridor, covering the MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) units. The campaign also extended to the tea gardens of Manjoor Kothagiri in Nilgiris district, where interactions took place with the workers. Additionally, the campaign reached out to workers in the knit industry of Tiruppur and powerloom workers in Erode. Meetings were held with workers from the local administration in Karur and Tirupur, followed by engagement with auto workers in the rural area of Trichy.

In Cuddalore, the campaign covered Neyveli Township, Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Tanjore. The campaign group received a warm reception from various farmers' organisations and cooperative societies workers.

The campaign in Chennai covered districts including Chennai North, Chennai Central, Chennai South, Chengalpet, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Perambalur, and Trichy. During the campaign, the group received a warm welcome and enthusiastic support from IT employees, who also presented a petition, urging for a reduction in working hours to six hours.

The Thiruvallur campaign passed through Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Vellore, Ranipet, Ariyalur, and Trichy. Contract workers from Adani Port and NTCL were met. The group received a rousing reception from workers in the MNC corridor, including Apollo Tyres, Yamaha, Asahi, Hyundai, as well as from beedi workers and other unorganised sector workers.

The Hosur campaign started from the Ashok Leyland factory gate with a large participation of contract workers. It proceeded to campaign in districts including Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal, and Trichy. The campaign team engaged with contract workers from Ashok Leyland and Arokya Milk, as well as workers from both organised and unorganised sectors in these regions.

The Tenkasi campaign started from Tenkasi district and continued through Virudhunagar, Madurai Urban, Madurai Rural, Theni, Dindigul, and finally reached Trichy district on May 29. Throughout the campaign, workers from various industries such as crackers, matches, beedi, construction, and tailoring extended warm greetings to the campaign team. Despite the intense heat, CITU activists persevered and conducted extensive interactions with workers and the general public, spreading awareness about their demands. In several locations, people expressed their support by submitting petitions to the campaign groups, highlighting their own demands. The campaign was supported by LICAI, which sponsored the printing of 1.5 lakh notices that were distributed to all the groups. Additionally, ICDS, TNSTC, and COTEE sponsored 700 pairs of white pants and red shirts for all the participants of the padayatra.

During the padayatra, approximately half a million workers were met. The campaign groups were received with great enthusiasm and warm receptions by fraternal organisations such as AIKS (All India Kisan Sabha), AIAWU (All India Agricultural Workers’ Union), AIDWA (All India Democratic Women's Association), DYFI (Democratic Youth Federation of India), SFI (Students' Federation of India), AIIEA (All India Insurance Employees Association), BEFI (Bank Employees Federation of India), TNGEA (Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association), BSNLEU (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited Employees Union), TARTADAC (Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently-Abled and Caregivers ), TNPWA (Tamil Nadu Progressive  Writers Association), TNUTA (Tamil Nadu University Teachers Association), NFPE (National Federation of Postal Employees), and various other unions.

Central Trade Unions like AITUC and their activists extended a warm reception to all the seven groups in more than 11 districts, including Chennai, Tiruppur, and Coimbatore. Similarly, INTUC, LPF, ATP, and MLF also provided receptions to the groups in several districts.

On the 53rd foundation day of CITU (May 30, 2023), all the seven groups concluded their padayatra at Trichy with a huged rally and public meeting. The meeting was presided over by S Rangarajan, the district secretary of CITU. Thousands of workers, including a significant number of women workers, actively participated in the rally, displaying great enthusiasm. The meeting was addressed by CITU general secretary Tapan Sen, AK Padhmanabhan, A Soundararajan, G Sukumaran, Malathy Chittibabu, as well as the presidents of the campaign groups. Additionally, a cultural programme was organised as part of the meeting.

Tapan Sen emphasized the crucial necessity and significance of the trade unions and their role in the upcoming parliamentary elections. He underscored the importance of unity among trade unions, as demonstrated by the recent padayatra, which received warm greetings from various trade unions regardless of their ideologies. The strength of the CITU's slogan, "Unite and Struggle," lies in its commitment not only to fight for workers' demands but also to strive for the emancipation of the working class. CITU has taken on the challenge of safeguarding the unity of the people, defending the constitution, and combating communal agendas.

A Soundararajan highlighted in his address that the rally has effectively conveyed a clear and powerful message to the governments, not to ignore the struggles and movements of the working class. The state has witnessed spontaneous agitations by workers who are demanding the restoration of their fundamental rights. These agitations represent a class struggle against the exploitation of the working class by capitalists. The union is not only a right but also a weapon and shield for the workers. Thanks to various struggles in the multinational corporations (MNCs), the red flag is now proudly flying high in the industrial corridors of Chennai and Kanchipuram.

The resounding slogans of the workers and the sight of the red flag waving in the rally, enthused everybody. The campaign has brought the issues of the workers into the spotlight, creating awareness among the general public and especially the workers. This was evident from the overwhelming participation of workers throughout the campaign. The politics behind the policies, were explained. Many individuals were observed expressing their support for the demands and endorsing the campaign's activities. The padayatra campaign among the workers has instilled a renewed sense of confidence.