THE All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) released a Workers’ Charter on April 2, 2019 in Delhi. This includes a report on violations of labour laws in industrial areas of Delhi along with a 13 point charter of demands of the workers.
The Charter was released in a Press Conference at IWPC and was addressed by Santosh Roy, President, AICCTU Delhi, Advocate Surya Prakash, Shweta Raj, Secretary AICCTU Delhi. The Press Conference was also attended by trade union leaders from different industrial areas.
Santosh Roy, President , AICCTU Delhi said, "The country has witnessed an era of fierce darkness in the last five years- people have been killed on the streets in broad day light over what they eat, the entire government machinery is deployed for the protection of rioters and those inciting hate. Ambanis and Adanis have got richer, while the masses are suffering because of unemployment and poverty." He also added that the ‘Achhe Din’ promised by Modi Government has led to mass violations of labour rights and drastic fall in bargaining capacity of workers. The jolts caused due to demonetization and GST have wrecked havoc for the most marginalized section of workers.
In Delhi, the elected government does not have any real powers to address the plight of workers, its reluctance to engage with Trade Unions just like the government in the centre is causing further damage.
The trade union activists pledged to vote against the fascist government at centre while waging united battle for labour rights in Delhi and elsewhere. In times when dozens of workers are burnt alive in the factories is all industrial centres of the country as well as in the National Capital for the profit of few, it is necessary for the workers of industrial areas to unite and raise their demands before Loksabha Election.
The demands put in the charter are as follows:
- We demand immediate end to the politics of hate and violence. All people/parties engaging in fanning communal violence must be punished as per the laws of the land.
- We demand generation of dignified employment opportunities through policy level changes, by putting an end to contractualization, filling of all government posts and creation of new posts.
- Control price-rise and make affordable and quality housing, transportation, health and education facilities accessible to all workers. Stop house-rent escalation and roll back Delhi Metro fare hikes. Lower the prices of LPG cylinder, petrol-diesel and CNG.
- The anti -worker revisions in labour laws like- ‘Fixed term employment’, ‘NEEM- National Employability Enhancement Mission’ & ‘NETAP - National Employment Through Apprenticeship Programme’ must be immediately withdrawn.
- We demand time bound implementation of notified minimum wages in all industrial areas of Delhi, and increasing the minimum wages to Rs 26,000 per month.
- Proper survey of all factories should be done, and a database prepared for all industrial areas, detailing the number of different kinds of workmen engaged in the respective establishments.
- Compulsory registration of Trade Unions within 45 days of application, punishment for factory owners engaging in union-busting and victimization of union activists. Stop attacks on union rights and make laws to ensure necessary recognition of unions by all factory owners.
- Regular meetings of the officials/concerned minister(s) with Trade Unions to ensure betterment of workers.
- Strengthening of Labour Department offices, immediate recruitment of inspectors and prompt disposal of cases of labour law violations.
- Worker friendly and corruption free labour department.
- Strict enforcement of labour laws, and amendments to increase penal provisions in existing laws.
- We demand that women workers be given equal employment opportunities and pay. We also demand an end to all discriminatory rules and behaviour that women workers are subjected to, as well as stopping sexual harassment at workplace as per Vishakha Guidelines.
- Stop harassment of migrant workers, make policy to ensure proper rights and dignity to all workers. Strictly implement laws meant for welfare of migrant workmen.
