Labour unions protest, demand loan waiver in Jalandhar

Jalandhar, September 11

Activists of five labour unions organised a protest here on Friday. Marching from the Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall to the DC office, the protesters demanded easing of work conditions, loan waiver, ration and jobs during the pandemic.

They blocked a road near the BMC chowk when they were stopped by the police from moving towards the DC office. The union activists raised slogans against the government but were pacified by SDM Jalandhar II Rahul Sidhu, who reached the spot and accepted a demand letter for the CM. He also assured the protesters of their meeting with the DC.

The leaders said the lockdown had severely affected labourers livelihood. The little earnings they had have been lost in the pandemic. They said while the restrictions on the meeting of more than five persons and the imposition of Section 144 had stopped them from raising their voice. They said during the pandemic period microfinance companies had raised their finance rates to unreasonable level for women who had sought loans.

The associations demanded waiver for microfinance loans, reduction in electricity charges, interest-free loans for poor peoples, besides lifting of restrictions on social gatherings. The unions warned the administration of bigger actions if their demands were not accepted. — TNS