Srinagar, May 01 2018 (KNO) : On the eve of International Labour Day, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) extends revolutionary greetings to the working people who have been in continuous struggles to defend their rights and livelihood. In a statement issued here today, CITU State President Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said the working class should prepare for united struggles against anti-people onslaught of the BJP-led government.
ASHA’s under NHM, Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, Mid Day Meal Workers, CPWs, MGNREGA employees, Contractuals, Construction Workers, Need Based, Seasonal, Casual Labouers, Daily Wagers are neglected and their long pending demands are not met. Daily wagers/casual labourers are awaiting their regularization although government has issued SRO last year which is quite disappointing. BJP led government is trying to erode whatever the achievement has made by the working class.
Whatever has been left is being snatched away from them. Harsh measures are being taken against working class across the country instead of addressing their issues. The administration is hell bent to take repressive measures. The policies pursued by BJP led government have resulted in job loss and attacks on livelihood of common people have increased.
The government is trying to promote such issues which create communal division among people. This divisive agenda of BJP government has to be defeated. Working class should realize that their unity and united struggles can force the government to concede their demands. Paying rich tributes to Zaldagar martyrs of 1865, Tarigami said that they laid the foundation of a struggle against the exploitation and atrocities on the artisans, a prominent section of working class. He said that the shawlbaff protest launched at Zaldagar against the ruling class has given vent to numerous movements of working class which are awaiting successful culminations.
The traditional artisans and weavers also reap little benefits of their hard toil. He demanded social security board for these artisans on the pattern of Construction Welfare Board and weaver off ACC loans to them. He said that the social security benefits like pension, provident fund, health insurance etc. are hard won rights of the working class secured through decades of struggle. These gains are now being reversed through privatization of pension funds, provident funds and cuts in subsidies.