In a bid to address the growing concerns of the working class, labour unions have come together to present a 17-point charter of demands aimed at ensuring social media rights, social security, and better working conditions for all workers.
The key demands of the labour unions are is to scrap the four labour codes introduced by the government, which are seen as anti-worker.
The unions want a national minimum wage of Rs. 26,000 per month for all workers, including those in the unorganized sector, contract workers, and scheme workers.
They are also asking for the implementation of equal pay for equal work for contract workers, and an end to casualization of work in any form.
As per the demand of the labour unions they want a minimum pension of Rs 9,000 per month and comprehensive social security for all categories of workers.
They also want the restoration of the old pension scheme and scrapping of the National Pension System (NPS) and Universal Pension Scheme (UPS).
The unions also want removal of ceilings on payment and eligibility of bonus, provident fund, and increase in gratuity, compulsory registration of trade unions within 45 days of submission of application and immediate ratification of ILO conventions C87 and C98.
The trade unions want the government to control price rise, removal of GST on essential items, and reduction of central excise duty on petroleum products and cooking gas.
They also want stoppage of privatization of public sector enterprises, government departments, and scrapping of the National Monetization Pipeline (NMP).
The labour unions are also asking for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Farmers.
They are demanding MSP at 50 percent above the cost of production for all farm produce with guaranteed procurement, increase in input subsidy to farmers, and comprehensive loan waiver and crop insurance schemes.
They also want withdrawal of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022, and stopping privatization of electricity.
The labour unions are also asking to make the right to work a fundamental right, filling of sanctioned posts, and generating employment for the unemployed.
They unions also want guarantee of right to free education, right to health, water, and sanitation for all, and ensuring housing for all.
The labour unions are also demanding the stringent implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and withdrawal of amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 2023, and Bio-diversity Act and Rules.
They also want the coverage of construction workers, domestic workers, and all workers registered on the E-Shram portal under comprehensive social security schemes.
The unions are also demanding that the super rich should be taxed, enhancing corporate tax, re-introducing wealth tax, and succession tax.
The unions also want the protection of core values of the Constitution, including freedom of expression, right to dissent, freedom of religion, diverse cultures, languages, equality before law, and federal structure of the country.
The 17-point charter of demands presented by the labour unions highlights the need for a more equitable and just society.
The demands are aimed at ensuring social security, better working conditions, and protection of the rights of workers.
It is imperative that the government takes these demands seriously and works towards implementing them to ensure the welfare of the working class.
By doing so, the government can help to promote social justice, reduce inequality, and improve the overall quality of life for workers and their families.
