In meeting with Nirmala Sitharaman, they call for repeal of the four codes; pro-government Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, however, asks Minister to notify the rules of at least two labour codes.
A platform of 10 central trade unions from the Opposition camp has warned the Centre that it will call a general strike if the Centre notifies the four labour codes.
The issue of implementation of the labour codes had come up in a pre-budget meeting the CTUs had with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. While the 10 unions asked her not to implement the labour codes, the pro-government Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and some other unions told her to notify the rules of at least two labour codes –
the Code on Wages and the Code on Social Security.
On Tuesday, the 10 CTUs said in a statement that they were concerned over the “arrogant and atrocious” continuance of the “anti-people, anti-worker” policies of the Centre. They said the policies were putting unbearable burden of miseries, job losses,
and joblessness on the people on the one hand and on the other hand, democratic rights of the people to protest and dissent were being curbed.
“It (the Centre) is refusing to restore Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and for setting up of the 8th Pay Commission. The CTUs decided to carry on the united struggle of the working people to a further height of resistance with all its might,” the statement read.
Supporting the ongoing struggles of farmers and agricultural workers against the Centre, the CTUs added that the blame for anything untoward happening to farmers’ leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a hunger strike, will be on the Centre. “The CTUs
are in constant dialogue with Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) for workers-peasants joint action programmes in the days to come,” they said.
On the proposal to notify the four labour codes, they said the codes have to be more labour-centric. “In the event of notification of labour codes by the government, trade union movement must promptly respond and react by immediate massive protest action/ burning the labour codes throughout the country and series of agitations/ mobilisations to culminate in countrywide general strike in continuity of the same. Date of the general strike will be announced at appropriate time. But preparation must start immediately,” the CTUs said.
On February 5, the CTUs will hold massive joint protests at district, sectoral levels against the Budget.
Page Source : The Hindu News, Punjab News Express ,
