PROTEST: Trade Unions hold massive protest in city

Ludhiana, December 18, 2012: On a call given by the Central Trade Unions in its convention held at Talkatora stadium Delhi on 4th September 2012 the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), INTUC, BMS, HMS and CITU  organised a massive protest rally and Chakka Jam at the Bharat Nagar Chowk here from 12 pm to 2 pm today.

The protestors included large number of women, construction workers, industrial workers, brick kiln workers, public health workers,  contractual workers, corporation workers, university employees, private hospital employees, roadways  and others sections of workers and employees.

They held a rally at the Bharat Nagar Chowk after Chakka Jam which was presided over by Om Parkash Mehta, D P Maur –AITUC, Jatinder Pal Singh and Jagdish Chand, Tarsem Jodhan of CITU and  Swaran Singh and Gurjeet Singh Jagpal of INTUC.

Speaking on the occasion state leaders Bant Brar – General Secretary AITUC Punjab, Raghunath Singh, Vijay Mishra General Secretary and President, respectively, of CITU Punjab, S K Tiwari President INTUC Punjab,  demanded minimum wages to be fixed by the Punjab government for unskilled workers at Rs 10,000, semi skilled Rs. 15,000, skilled workers Rs. 20,000 per month. 

Speakers cited low wages in the state as major reason for the shortage of labour in the state. They demanded all anti worker acts recently promulgated by the Punjab government to be withdrawn with immediate effect. They said that the labour laws in the state are being flouted by both public and private sector with impunity. The contractual workers in both the sectors be regularised hence forth.  These must be implemented in letter and spirit.

They deplored that because of the economic policies of both central and state governments there has been accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few, while vast majority is suffering under acute poverty and unemployment. Latest reports have indicated that 100 top rich families in the country own assets to the tune of Rs. 16 lakh crores of rupees where as 70% are forced to live on meager spending of Rs. 16.60 per day.

Adding, they said that the joint committee of the trade unions have decided to intensify their joint agitation for check on price rise of essential commodities, end to labour law violations, for social security and pension to all workers, abolition of any ceiling on provident fund, gratuity and bonus, abolition of contract and outsourcing of  labour, equal pay for equal work, no disinvestment of public sector units. 

They demanded that construction workers’ act 1996 should be implemented immediately. Aasha, Anganwadi and mid day meal workers should be regularised and paid accordingly.  

They also demanded   that the quota of LPG be increased to 18 per year, new recruitments to the government jobs be started immediately by lifting the ban,  law and order in Punjab be restored, women’s security be ensured, rates of sand and bajri be reduced, brick kilns be started so that the workers may get employment and construction activity be restored in the state.

Supporting the demands of the hosiery workers, who participated in a big number in today’s protest,   they further said that their piece rates have not been revised since long. These should be revised immediately.

Others who addressed included Sarabjit singh Sarhali, Suresh Sood, Tailk Raj Dogra, Jasbir Singh, Amarnath Koom Kalan, Sukhvinder Lotey, Hanuman Parsad Dubey, Samar Bahadur, Gurnam Gill, Gulzar Gorea, Laddoo Shah, Feroze Master and Vijay Kumar.