Punjab trade unions on strike today

In order to impress upon the state government to revise minimum wages and to implement labour laws, the joint action committee of Aituc (All India Trade, Citu (Centre of Indian Trade Unions) and HMS (Hind Mazdoor Sabha) will observe a strike throughout the state on 20th April.

According to the representatives of these unions, around 500,000 factory and brick kiln workers are expected to participate in the strike.

Talking to Business Standard, Citu Working President Vijay Mishra said, "As on January 1, 2001, the minimum wage was fixed at Rs 2,000. But till date, it has not been revised, which, as per the law should be revised after every two years. As far as dearness allowance is concerned, in the last five years, the industrial workers got a meager sum of Rs 355 in ten installments, unlike their government counterparts, who receive about Rs 500 in one installment. During the last five years, the state government has done nothing for the welfare of the workers. The condition of labourers is going from bad to worse in Punjab day by day and they are unable to fulfill even their basic needs. Moreover, due to faulty industrial policy of the state government, already around 8,000 factories have downed shutters, affecting 300,000 workers directly and 1,000,000 workers indirectly."

"Moreover, the factory owners are violating norms related to labour laws, but the government officials are keeping mum on the issues. In Amritsar alone, around 95 per cent factory owners are violating the labour laws. The labourers are forced to work for 12 hours instead of the stipulated 8 hours. Attandance cards have also not been issued. So far, bonus, leave, EPF etc are concerned, they are not implemented.

Giving work on contract basis has further detroited the condition of workers," claims Secretary, AITUC, Amarjit Singh Asal.

He added that the workers conditions are detroited day by day with rising inflation and are forced to live below poverty line.

Asal suggested that the Minimum wages for unskilled workers should be Rs 5,000 per month and for skilled it should be Rs. 10,000 per month, keeping in view of inflation and the labour laws should be implemented fully.

He further added that if the government would not paid any heed to their demand, they would intensify their stir further