Protest by Delhi Building Workers' Union in front of CM Office

ON 8th November, AICCTU affiliated Building Workers' Union, protested in front of the Delhi CM's office and submitted a memorandum demanding unemployment allowance for all construction sector workers. Workers from different parts of Delhi participated in the protest. In between huge hue and cry regarding Delhi's pollution, a big section of Delhi's poorest workers- daily wagers from construction sector, have been completely neglected. While measures for tackling pollution are necessary, any government should take care of all concerned parties before taking decisions which affect a huge section of workers.

In the name of checking the menace of pollution in Delhi, all construction works have been banned resulting in massive crisis of livelihood for several thousands of poor workers. While submitting the memorandum, AICCTU Delhi Vice President Rajiv said that these kind of tokenist steps will not help us in fighting pollution. The State and Central Governments must initiate some concrete steps to change the pro-rich and anti-environment policies they have adhered to.

Chinta Devi, a construction worker who participated in the protest, highlighted the severe problems because of the stoppage of work and demanded unemployment allowance as per as the minimum wages.

V.K.S. Gautam, General Secretary of the Building Workers' Union, addressed the protesting workers and vowed to intensify the movement if the Government remains apathetic towards this very pressing issue affecting construction workers of Delhi.