May Day observed in Barak Valley

Our Correspondent

Silchar, May 2: The different trade unions including CITU, AITUC, AICCTU, AIUTUC, TUCC and EWTCC observed May Day here today with a resolve to stand united against all sorts of injustice towards them. A host of speakers who included Suprayo Bhattacharjee, Rahique Ahmed, Subrata th, Ashim th, Paritosh Dey, Fidel Choudhury and Dhiranjan Bhattacharjee among others addressed a public rally held at rsingtola ground.

   It is the day when the working class people take the pledge to unite and fight against the repressive measures of the capitalists, business barons and the State. It was on May 1 of 1886 that the workers raised their voice against their exploitation and demanded eight hour limit to their work. It was accepted though the movement saw self–sacrifice by the struggling masses. It is the day when the workers resolved to create a better society free from all sorts of repression, injustice and exploitation.

  The day began with hoisting of the flag at the rsingtola ground followed by offering of floral tributes at the temporary martyrs’ column. The leaders who addressed the gathering here called upon the assembly to remain united against all the injustice of the capitalist class. They were cautioned against the anti–people policies of the Centre and the state as well and various corporate houses. It was only through united stand that their design against workers would be frustrated.   All the speakers lambasted the present NDA Government which during its regime has pushed the workers and common people to extreme difficult situations. While affluency has been increasing with concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, the number of poor people is mounting in the country and unemployment is growing. In 1998 the number of workers in organized sector was 2.82 crore which came down to 2.75 crore in 2008. According to a survey and study, during 2009–10, the total number of workers was 45.6 crore. Of which only 15.6 per cent were under the category of regular salary. 86 per cent of the workers are engaged in unorganized sector which is a reflection on the state of affairs.

  Continuing their tirade against the earlier UPA and present NDA government, the working class and the poverty stricken people are the worst sufferers. The unbridled corruption in the country, which has broken all records, has added to the miseries and agonies of common people. Black money, which is estimated to be around Rs 27 lakh crore stashed away in foreign banks, is a serious matter. Black marketing, collapse of public distribution system and ubated rise in the prices of essential commodities have been quite disturbing, telling heavily on working class people.   The leaders in unison exhorted the workers to strengthen the labour movement and participate in the movement for their liberation. They have to express their solidarity with the working class people around the world and oppose with all their might, the policies of the Central Government and at the same time re–inforce their right for organized movement. They alleged that the Centre had been trying to change some of the provisions of Trade Union Act 1927 for its ‘vested interests’. They pointed out that scores of fledgling trade unions have now been facing difficulty in getting themselves even registered in the country. Their demands jointly formulated by the representatives of all the trade unions included urgent measures to curb prices, employment generation, enforcement of labour laws, social security cover for organized and unorganized workers.