As a part of nationwide call for strike on Friday by ten Central Trade Unions, National Industrial Federations and Employees’ Organizations on 12-point charter of demands on the most burning issues confronting the working class, J&K CITU organized a huge rally of workers from various sectors including Public Sector Undertakings, ASHA workers, Nirman Mazdoor Union, Railway Loading and Unloading Workers Union industrial workers and unorganized sector workers. Holding CITU flags, banners and placards, shouting slogans in favour of their long pending genuine demands, the rally marched from Press Club Jammu to Indra Chowk through Jewel Chowk, Gummat and Bus stand which culminated at Indra Chowk, Jammu. While addressing the protesting workers, M.Y.Tarigami, President, J&K CITU said that the central government has been desperately moving ahead for mega strategic sale of huge national assets of PSUs, anti-working class labour reforms, un-relenting rise of prices of all essential commodities, wide-spread contractualization, dismantling existing social security system like EPF and ESI, cuttings in social security coverage, ignoring pension to scheme workers such as ASHAs, Anganwadi, MDM and unorganized workers, non-implementation of labour laws as well as weakening of law enforcement machinery and non-implementation of minimum wages of Rs.18000/- per month.
The neo-liberal economic policies being implemented by the Govt.have broken the back of the working class and marginalized sections of the society as the same has resulted into price escalations, cut in employment opportunities and social security measures, non adherence to basic labour laws etc., he exhorted. This all has created miserable impact on the lives and livelihood of the toiling people, both in the urban as well as rural areas across the country. Pawan Gupta, Divisional Secretary NZIEA, Daleep Koul, General Secretary, General Insurance Employees Association opposed the move of the NDA-led central government in respect of FDI and disinvestment of insurance sector. Daleep Koul also urged for the merger of four General Insurance Companies into a single corporation alike LIC of India and providing of one more option for pension. Among others Raj Kumar, co-convenor J&K Nirman Mazdoor Union, Ramesh Chand, Secretary Nirman Mazdoor Union, Jammu, Sunita Bagat, State Gen. Secretary ASHA Workers Union, Kailash Naik, General Secretary, Railway Loading and Unloading Union, H.D.Bhomick, President Industrial Workers Union, Ashok Kumar, President Hindustan Coca Cola Workers Union also addressed the rally. (CNS)