Central trade unions across the nation have staged protests against the what is being called as anti-people, anti-farmer, anti-worker and anti-national policies of the government.
Submitting a memorandum to the Labour Minister, they are opposing the government's privatisation and disinvestment drive, highlighting the worsening condition of the workers since the COVID-19 outbreak started.
The 10 central trade unions (CTUs), who joined the nationwide protest on 3rd July 2020, included the Congress-backed INTUC (Indian National Trade Union Congress), Left’s CITU (Centre of Indian Trade Unions) and AITUC (All-India Trade Union Congress) and others like AIUTUC (LL India United Trade Union Centre), HMS (Hind Mazdoor Sabha), TUCC (Trade Union Coordination Centre), SEWA (Self-Employed Women's Association), AICCTU (All India Central Council of Trade Unions), LPF (Labour Progressive Federation) and UTUC (United Trade Union Congress), within less than two months of their first nationwide protest in on 22nd May 2020, against the labour laws changes by states.
In the submitted memorandum, the CTUs have reiterated their disapproval and resistance to disinvestment, saying privatisation of PSUs, opening up sectors like Indian railways, defence, port and dock, coal, Air India, banks, insurance to private entities and privatisation of space science & atomic energy step in favour of corporates of Indian & foreign brands so as to expropriate natural resources and business of the country.
In a joint statement, the CTUs have stated that the Government has most insensitively dealt with the problem of COVID-19 as a law & order issue, instead of treating it as a medical emergency for the human being and society. They also added that it has caused immense miseries to millions of workers, farmers and other vulnerable sections of the society.
The CTU said the pandemic has rendered 14 crore workers jobless within three months and the number could go up to 24 crores if we add the daily wagers, contractual labourers and casual workers.
Citing excerpts, it said that the MSMEs themselves are reporting that 30% to 35% units may not be in a position to restart their activities. The CTUs also added that this unemployment would result in a huge increase in malnutrition, hunger-related deaths and would eventually result in depression and suicides amongst workers.
According to the CTUs, the Minister of Labour and Employment Santosh Gangwar, and the Labour Secretary Heeralal Samariya, met their leaders and accepted their memorandum after protests outside the labour ministry.