Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Thousands of workers from various Labour Unions across the State, observed Labour Day today and paid their homage to the martyrs of Chicago (USA), who laid down their lives for the cause of the working class during revolution in 1886.
Minister for Labour, Planning and Development, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra while paying tributes to martyrs in a function held at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan at Jammu today, spelled out initiatives taken by the Government for welfare and upliftment of labour force across the State. He said enhancement in the Provident Fund interest will go a long way in further improving their economic condition.
Mr Sadhotra said that several steps are underway for the effective and expeditious implementation of Labour laws and they are equally good for the skilled and unskilled workers besides their families. He also referred to the Wages Act and Payment of Gratuity Act and said that these path-breaking laws are key to mitigating the sufferings of skilled and unskilled work force and to enhance their quality of life.
Speaking on the occasion, State vice president of NC, Rattan Lal Gupta, MLA Kalakote Rachhpal Singh and Provincial secretary of the party Sheikh Bashir Ahmed lauded the contribution of work force in overall development and socio-economic transformation of the State. Nar Singh, president SCLU handed over a memorandum to the Minister and also appreciated his approach towards the labour class. He raised various issues concerning health of the labour class.
State president of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami extended revolutionary greetings to the working class on the occasion of May Day. Mr Tarigami (MLA) addressing large rally in Srinagar said that the woes of labourers are on an upsurge and the labour laws across the State are being brazenly flouted. The destitute lot engaged in the Government sector as ad-hoc, casual and contract employees are earning monthly wages which does not qualify under the Minimum Wages Act, he added.
As far as the neglect of Labour class and Minimum Wages Act is concerned, Jammu and Kashmir is the worst example. The dismal pay scale offers little for families dependent on the workers for their survival. ASHA and Anganwadi workers; daily-rated, casual, need based and contractual labourers- all fall in the same unfortunate category, Tarigami remarked.
He demanded that ASHA, Anganwadi workers & helpers be brought under Minimum Wages Act and covered under social security benefits including gratuity, pension, provident fund etc. He said that casual labourers, daily wagers, need based and seasonal workers working in different departments should be regularized and paid their pending wages. Observing that the construction workers in J&K are still not under the umbrella of laws safeguarding their rights and security, the CITU president stated that the (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 was introduced to protect the right of labourers working in construction jobs – the building and other construction workers which the State adopted in 2006. However, implementation of the Act on the ground remains non functional as the labourers are denied their benefits.
J&K CITU State Committee (Jammu) also organized a massive rally comprising of different unions and associations including Railway Loading and Unloading Workers Unions, Asha Workers Union- Jammu, Anganwadi Workers Union (J&K), Nirman Mazdoor Union, Jammu National Highway Workers Union, Industrial Estate Workers Union, Bhatha Mazdoor Union, Northern Zone Insurance Employees’ Association etc, in front of Press Club, Jammu. The workers holding red flags, banners and placards in their hands were shouting slogans for the unity and integrity of the toiling masses of the world.
The rally passed through Dogra Chowk, Bhagat Singh Chowk, City Chowk, Raghunath Bazaar and culminated at Indira Chowk. Addressing the rally Om Parkash, general secretary, J&K State CITU said that the working class all over the world can never forget the revolutionary sacrifices and achievements of the heroic struggle of 1886 in Chicago. May Day struggle resulted in achieving the rights of the workers for 8 hours working day and the rest 16 hours of the day for rest, cultural activities and for their family life. The provision of 8 hours working day and the rest of 16 hours for recreation and family life, no longer, holds the social life of the society. Sham Prasad Kesar, regional secretary of CPI (M) also addressed the rally.
State branch of Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) also paid rich tributes to martyrs of Chicago in a function held at Satwari. President of the Union, Shiv Kumar Sharma presided over. He urged upon the employees and workers to stay united for their common cause.
The INTUC leader also strongly projected the demands and issues of the working class and urged upon the Government resolving pending issues of the workers including regularization of daily rated/ consolidated workers, release of pending wages, enhance medical allowance etc.
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) organised a massive May Day rally at Udhampur under the chairmanship of Som Nath, vice president of PHE Employees Association Jammu Province and senior INTUC leader. Large number of employees and workers from various areas of the district Udhampur participated in the rally. During the rally, the speakers highlighted various problems including release of wages, regularization of workers, implementation of Minimum Wages Act, filling up of vacant posts, etc.
On the occasion of May Day, a general body meeting of activists of JKCCTU was held at PDD complex, Bemina in Srinagar to pay the homage to Chicago martyrs. The meeting was attended by large number of activists despite complete strike in the Valley. Mohd Maqbool, national secretary AISGEF and president J&K Co-ordination Committee of Trade Unions (JKCCTU) while addressing the meeting expressed solidarity with the working class, fighting the neo-liberal economic and anti-working class policies imposed by the imperialist finance capital led by USA and for safeguarding their hard earned rights achieved through long sacrifices.
Paying homage to the Chicago martyrs, Mr Maqbool criticised the ruling class of India for imposing tremendous hardships on the peoples in general and the workers in particular through skyrocketing prices, rampant corruption, rising un-employment and attack on the social security system of Govt employees by imposing the National Pension Act (NPA) and created job insecurity through policy of outsourcing, to provide benefit to the Corporate and big business houses. The rally was also addressed by trade unionists including Ali Mohamad Bhat, Haji Gh Mohamad, Muneer Ahmad Khan, Sheikh Ajaz and Abdul Rashid Najar.
Similar meeting was held under the banner of JKCCTU at PDD complex Parade, Jammu at Rani Park despite holiday today, which was addressed by prominent leaders like Gurmeet Sigh, Ram Kumar Sharma, Surinder Kumar and others.
An impressive May Day rally was organized by the activists of Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Trade Union under the leadership of Suresh Sharma, State president JKPDTU here today. Employees of the Government departments/PSUs and private sector participated in the rally here today. The trade unionists highlighted burning demands of the working class of the State including pensioners. Besides State president, senior office bearers Mohinder Sharma, Jasmeet Singh, Kapil Bakshi, BN Singh, Manohar Singh, Dr Vikas Sharma, Randip Singh Jasrotia, Rinku Gill and Abdul Latief also addressed the rally.
They all criticized the Coalition Government for maintaining criminal silence over the pending demands of the employees which include regularization of daily wagers, consolidate workers, contractual and adhoc workers, removal of pay anomalies of all cadres including clerical staff, revisiting of sick PSUs and extending budgetary support and timely salary to them, increase in Medical allowance from Rs 300 to Rs 1000, release of pending wages of daily wagers of PHE/ PDD, dislocation allowance, pensionary benefits to fresh recruits on the pattern of Legislators and their other colleagues working under similar conditions and reframing of policy for regularization ReZs/ReTs.
Senior PDP leaders S Rangil Singh, Daman Bhasin, Jagjit Singh Jagga, Capt. Anil Gour, Depinder Kour and RK Bali also participated in the function.
Former Minister and State president of NCP Th Randhir Singh addressing activists of National Front of Indian Trade Unions on the occasion of May Day said that May Day originates with the US Labour movement in the late 19th Century. The day has great importance as the members of Labour class laid down their lives for the cause of working class across the world. He referred to various Central schemes and claimed that true benefit if not being provided to the Labour class. He stressed for awakening among the working class for their rights. Mr Singh also projected the burning issues of the working class.
May 1 was celebrated as Labourers’ Day in Presentation Convent Senior Secondary School, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu today, as a festival of gratitude and reverence in the honour of the services rendered by the supportive staff of the institution. The celebrations emphasized on the proverb, ‘work is worship’, which equals work with prayer. The management, staff and the students of the school expressed their gratitude to the supportive staff of the school.
The students presented an impressive cultural programme. The most waited event was their outing, which was specially planned for this special day.
Principal of the School, Sister Rosamma, in her message extended gratitude to the supportive staff for their services and said that they were indispensable for the smooth functioning of the school. The supportive staff of the school was felicitated on the occasion.
J&K Hotel Employees Association led by D R Sharma, Vishavkarma Dogra Labour Union Muthi led by Kuldeep Raj Chalotra, National Mazdoor Conference led by Subash Shastri, Kissan Mazdoor Union Mendhar and EJAC unit Poonch led by S Amrik Singh also observed May Day and paid homage to the martyrs of Chicago. They also projected the issues of Labour class.
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