Mazdoor Sangh protests govt’s anti-labour policies

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 17

Ignoring the appeal of the Union government, the RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) today organised a rally in favour of their demands, including rollback of government’s economic model and anti-labour policies.

It staged a protest march, the terminal point being outside Parliament. Salient feature of the show of strength was attendance by women in big number, especially anganwadi and other Scheme workers.

Subsequent to the rally, BMS president Saji Narayana led a delegation to Arun Jatiley-led Group of Ministers and submitted a charter of demands. 

BMS general secretary Brijesh Upadhyay said: “The GoM has assured to consider the demands sympathetically, especially the objectionable provisions in the proposed amendments to labour laws. It has also assured to consider regularisation of services of anganwadi workers.”

Addressing the rally, a top leader of the BMS, Saji Narayan cautioned the government that their agitation would be intensified if it fails to accept their demands.

Narayan batted for a new economic model in tune with the country’s realities as the policies pursued since Independence were faulty. He criticised the Contract Labour and Industrial Relation Code Bills, which have been introduced in Parliament.

Other demands include scrapping of FDI policy, end to contractual work system and equal pay for equal work.