Unions Slam Centre’s Anti-labour Policies, Call For Nationwide Strike On 20

Amalapuram – Andhra Pradesh: Leaders from various trade unions and farmers’ associations gathered at the Amalapuram Employees’ Home on Monday, sharply criticizing the BJP-led Central Government’s corporate-driven policies and calling for mass participation in the nationwide strike on the 20th of this month.

• Central government accused of undermining workers’ rights

At the all-party trade union meeting, leaders from CITU, AITUC, Agricultural Workers’ Union, Farmers’ Union, and Tenant Farmers’ Union came together to denounce the policies of the BJP government. They expressed strong opposition to the introduction of four new labour codes that would repeal 49 existing labour laws, alleging that this move would dismantle decades of workers’ rights and safeguards.

The union representatives described these actions as part of a larger trend of eroding democratic and constitutional rights since the BJP returned to power for the third time.

• Corporate-friendly policies harming the poor

The speakers accused both the central and state governments of bowing to corporate interests at the cost of vulnerable sections such as farmers, agricultural labourers, tribal communities, and informal workers. They highlighted the growing income insecurity, lack of job protection, and absence of minimum wages across several sectors, including government schemes.

They demanded immediate corrective measures and the formulation of a comprehensive law to protect the lives and livelihoods of workers in the unorganized sector.

• Farmers, labourers face neglect

The union leaders voiced concerns over the lack of remunerative prices for crops and the inadequate employment for both agricultural and industrial workers. They criticized the government’s failure to provide minimum wages, job security, and social protection for those employed under government-run programs.

They emphasized that the labor reforms being pursued are pro-corporate in nature and would worsen the conditions of the rural and working poor.

• Call to action: Participate in nationwide strike on 20

In a united appeal, the unions urged people to participate in large numbers in the strike on the 20th, which aims to defend the rights of workers, farmers, and marginalized communities. They called the strike a collective stand against the systemic exploitation and regressive reforms imposed by the government.

Among those who participated in the meeting were N Balaram, G Durga Prasad, Kaarem Venkateswara Rao, K Satthibabu, U Gopal, P Ramu, Satyanarayana, M Bhaskara Rao, P Shiva, B Esther Rani, K Baby Gangaratnam, Nagalakshmi, Parvathi, Peethala Ramachandra Rao, V Mohan Rao, and Nimammakayala Srinivas. Their presence underlined the widespread support for the movement and the growing resistance to anti-worker and anti-farmer policies.

(Source: IAIJ/BIN/DPJB)