Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: In connection with the May Day, various trade, social, political, youth organizations and educational institutions organised rallies and functions to mark the day across the State today. The day is also observed as International Labour Day.
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State Government Employees Joint Action Committee, under the leadership of senior trade unionists, Suresh Sharma, Subhash Verma and Sushil Sudan organized a large rally in Jammu today. The employees and trade unionists paid rich tributes to the martyrs of Chicago in USA due to whose struggle and sacrifices, the working class managed to get working hours defined and weekly off for the workers across the world. The workers in USA and other parts of the world were facing worst kind of exploitation at the hands of peasants, industrialists and others. Their sacrifices forced the peasants to succumb to the pressure.
While recalling their sacrifices, the speakers appealed the working class to get united for their legitimate demands and issues. They said even after 150 years of their sacrifice, there is no total end to exploitation of the working class. The daily wagers, need base workers, Anganwadi workers etc are the worst example of exploitation at the hands of State Government in the State. They demanded that Govt must stop exploitation of this class.
They strongly demanded that office timings in Jammu region where temperature reaches 45 degree C in summers, be changed from 8 am to 2 pm otherwise, workers will be forced to launch joint agitation. They also pleaded for working of five days a week in all the Govt offices.
PHE employees under the banner of Water Works (PHE) Employees Association (Distt Udhampur), organized a massive May Day rally in the town which after passing through various city localities and markets, finally culminated at PHE Station, Barrian. Senior vice president of PHE Employees Association, Jammu province, Som Nath was leading the rally. The employees paid tributes to the martyrs of Chicago agitation and recalled their sacrifices.
Som Nath projected the burning issues of the employees and workers which include, release of their wages of daily wagers, ITI and casual labours, their regularization, implementation of SRO 520, implement Minimum Wages Act, remove shortage of staff, grant holiday on May Day, conduct DPC of all cadre in the department, increase Medical allowance of employees and pensioners and change the designation of employees as per their nature of job.
Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Dr Piyush Singla who was the chief guest on the occasion, assured the employee and workers to look into their genuine issues and demands and address the same at the earliest.
CITU also ogranized May Day Rally in Jammu city today.
With labourers demanding fulfillments of their demands, May Day celebrations were largely dominated by protests and rallies today across Kashmir division.
A protest demonstration was held All J&K Agriculture Casual Labours from Lal Mandi Agriculture Complex to Press Enclave, Partap Park, who demanded the regularization policy for all casual labors under SRO 520, release of pending wages and monthly based wages under wages head. State president, Mohammad Yousuf Wani condemned the delaying policies of the Govt and demanded immediate resolution of the demands of 61000 casual laborers.
“It is unfortunate that despite written agreements with the previous Government, it has continuously failed in settling these issues,” he said.
On the other side, the laborers who are working on daily basis said that while the cost of essential commodities has risen, what they are getting for their work is the same and that they are facing tough times.
Meanwhile, All J&K State Pensioners and Senior Citizens Welfare Association Srinagar also held May Day celebrations at Ahata Waqar, Chanapora today
As per the statement issued the Association’s Chief Spokesperson Nisar Ali Mir and State Secretary Muhammad Ashraf talked about the celebrations of Chicago Day and also referred to Zaldagar Srinagar Mazdoor Massacre.
The statement said that Adnan Syed who is the Secretary Legal Services J&K appreciated the assembly of the participants on May Day.
Sampath Prakash, who is the State President of the Association, the statement said, demanded the release of 6th and 7th Pay Commission and other legal facilities given to the pensioners
A large number of workers and employees including large number of women employees observed May Day today under the banner of J&K Co-ordination Committee of Trade Unions (JKCCTU) at District headquarters through out the State to pay the homage to the Chicago martyrs and to take a pledge to fight the neo-liberal economic and anti-working class policies of the Govt.
Mohd Maqbool president JKCCTU while addressing huge rally at Beehama Park at Ganderbal said the Neo-libral policies of privatisation and outsourcing of Modi Govt has not only created havoc on economy but created large scale un employment, price rise, uncontrolled corruption at high places but made the life of common people especially working class miserable. He said workers and employees of J&K State are living in miserable condition due to the apathy of Governors administration and there is no wage or regularisation policy for temporary workers.
At Kathua, PHE workers led by Narayan Singh, took out protest march on the May Day. The half naked and bare footed workers were shouting slogans in support of their demands of release of their wages and regularization.
National Labour Council of National Panthers Party organized protest meeting on the International Labour Day, calling it as labour exploiters day by ruling parties in India. Prof Bhim Singh chief patron of the party presided over the meet. A resolution was passed in the meeting accusing Parliament of India for allowing the capitalists/ industrialists/ employers from state sector as well as from private to exploit the working class in the country. Bhim Singh cited several examples where highly educated men and women are being exploited in worst manner.
In connection with the International Labour Day, a legal awareness camp was organised under the guidance of Sanjeev Gupta, Chairman, District Legal Services Authority (Pr. District & Sessions Judge) Kathua at CTM Kathua.
The programme was presided by Aarti Mohan, Secretary District Legal Services Authority (Sub Judge) Kathua. It was also attended by the Nidhi Suman, Sunita Devi retainer lawyers DLSA Kathua and Puneet Kumari, retainer lawyer TLSC Kathua, Surbi Abrol Legal officer.
Secretary DLSA Kathua addressed the audience and told them about the benefits of various NALSA and SLSA schemes and also spoke on the importance of Labour Day.
State Unit of All India Confederation of SC/ST/ OBC Organisations also observed May Day and paid tributes to martyrs of Chicago agitation. The members led by RK Kalsotra also paid tributes to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar and said it will be great injustice if Dr Ambedkar’s legacy is not remembered on this day.
International Labour Day was also observed in the offices of Labour Commissioner Jammu in which Shehnaz Akhtar Deputy Labour Commissioner was the chief guest. She felicitated some officials for their good work. Another awareness programme was organized by the department at Narayana Hospital, Kakryal. Assistant Labour Commissioner Reasi, Pradyot Gupta was the chief guest. He and other officers educated the employees and other staff about their rights.
National Development Organisation and Public Technocrats Society celebrated Labour day in a function held at Kheora in Rajouri. The speakers spoke on the importance of the day and stressed the need to create awareness in the society about the rights. Arun Khajuria, chairman addressed the gathering.
National Human Rights, Social Justice Council, state unit organized a conference here today and created awareness among the people present about the labour laws and rights of the worker. They referred to the exploitation of working class and stressed the need to create more and more awareness in the society. They said there there was urgent need to fully implement labour laws.
Mayor JMC Chander Mohan Gupta, Anil Padha, chief secy general NHR and MI Zargar, CED NHR spoke on the occasion.
To mark the day, Army organized awareness lecturers at Govt High School Kotli, Basuni and Salotri in Poonch. The students were made aware about the labour laws and their rights. Another program was organized by Army at Kalsian in Nowshera.
Labour Day was observed at Presentation Convent Senior Secondary School, Gandhi Nagar, here today. The programme commenced with a special assembly by the students of Class VII wherein in a special way they expressed their gratitude towards the selfless services of the supportive staff of the School. They presented soulful songs, vibrant and colourful dances to entertain them. A skit with its apt message highlighted the importance of supportive staff in our lives.
Doon International School Jammu organized a special programme to celebrate International Labour Day at the School, here today.
The celebration began with a group song, followed by the speech extending gratitude towards the helpers, nannies and drivers. The purpose was to make the students aware of the dignity of labour and the importance of every member’s contribution in the growth of an Institution. Chairman GN Tantray extended his best wishes to the staff and appreciated their effort. Principal Dr Vikesh Kaur also spoke on the occasion.
Modern Montessori International (MMI) Preschool, also celebrated International Labour Day in a unique way. To express heartfelt gratitude and convey `big thank’ to supporting staff of the school ,MMI organized a function in the school premises. To make the day special for supporting staff, the children, management of MMI school team distributed hand made cards by the students, gifts and sweets among the support staff members.
The main motive of the entire celebration was to make students learn the importance and dignity of labour and need to respect each and every person whatever they do. Gifts wrapped `out of love and affection’ were presented to the support staff by the School Director, Sapna Rohmetra on behalf of management.
Children of Pre- Nursery B of Modern Montessori International Preschool visited SOS Home, Channi. The children of MMI and SOS Home interacted with each other and had great fun. The students of MMI distributed sweets and juices among children of SOS Home. They took pictures with each other. The children learned about sharing and donating. The objective of this visit was to inculcate in the students, the spirit to serve humanity and create and appreciate equal opportunities for all.
It was an enriching experience for the students and they learned one more way to serve humanity. MMI also donated an amount collected as charity from the activity (best out of waste, done by students).
Delhi Public School, Udhampur also celebrated Labour Day with zeal. The function started with an introductory speech highlighting historical events that contributed to the emergence of labour’s rights and the significance of the day in the presents time.
Games like musical chair were organized to refresh and rejuvenate helpers. Highlight of the programme was dance performance and skit that acknowledged the contribution of the work force. Pro-Vice Chairman of the school, Dr JC Gupta felicitated workers of the school for commendable service. Principal, Dr Kunal Anand lauded the ceaseless efforts of workers.
MV International School celebrated International Worker’s Day with full enthusiasm and zeal. Gourav Abrol, Director of the school along with Principal, KL Dogra distributed a small token of appreciation and honored the workers of the institution. Abrol highlighted the important role of these workers in our life.
Jammu Sanskriti School, organized a special assembly of the students to mark the International Labour day. The purpose was to make the students dutiful and responsible citizens.
The special assembly commenced with welcoming all the school employees with reverence followed by a self composed song in their honour. Ensuing this a skit was performed in the assembly which presented the real picture of workers on duty. The assembly was organized by Optimism House under the supervision of CCA incharge Trishna Sharma, House Master Ms Taniya and Vice-House master Geetika Sharma. The programme concluded with the distribution of gifts to support staff by the Management members and Principal- Cum- Vice Chairperson, Rohini Aima.
Mount Litera Zee School, Tarore ( Samba) organised special assembly of students to mark the day. Rahul Kapoor, Principal of the School presided over the programme and addressed the assembly. He spoke on the importance of the day. MD of the school, PB Kapoor later felicitated the support staff.
Meanwhile, Carmel Convent Higher Secondary School, Army Public School Akhnoor, Stephens International School Miran Sahib, Alexander Memorial Higher Secondary School, Jammu; Maharaja Hari Singh DAV Cent. Public School Akhnoor and R M Public School and Youth for Society- Samba based NGO also celebrated International Labour Day.
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