Agricultural workers, AITUC seek rollback of Wage Code Bill

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 9

On a nationwide call given by the All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and the Bharatiya Khet Mazdoor Union (BKMU), the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sabha and the AITUC, Ludhiana units, staged a rally at the Mini-Secretariat on Thursday.

The call has been given to expose the “anti-people” and “anti-worker” policies of the Modi government.

“In the name of labour reforms, all gains made by workers, including their right to unionise, eight hours of work, job security, regular jobs, and minimum wages, are being taken away and an insecure work environment is being enforced in all fields. The Modi government is hand in glove with a few corporates,” said DP Maur, Vice-President, AITUC, Punjab.

Addressing the rally, Dr Joginder Dayal, member of the central executive committee of the Communist Party of India (CPI), said after having failed in all promises made during the 2014 elections, the government was now out to split the society on communal and caste lines.

The rally demanded withdrawal of the Wage Code Bill as “it will kill the workers’ rights”. They also demanded regularisation of jobs, job security, end to contratualisation, implementation of minimum wages, ensuring ESI facilities and EPF for all and regular maintenance of register of workers.