Labour Laws Suspension: Trade Unions Plans To Protest On May 22
On May 15, 10 Trade Unions working at Central level announced for the nationwide strike on May 22, to show their disagreement against the changes made in labor laws during this lockdown period.while some of the labor laws in some States were suspended some had made changes in the working hours, against which the Trade Unions have planned to take collective action by the way of strike and also to report the matter to ILO (International Labour Organization).
On May 14, the meeting held between the 10 Central Trade Unions observed the critical situation of working of laborers in the country during the lockdown and pandemic period and thereby decided to took major steps unitedly to face challenges arising in this period. And in the light of the same fact, the joint platform has now decided for the nationwide protest against the anti-workers and labor onslaughts of government on May 22, as said by the 10 CTUs in a joint statement.
In furtherance of its decision by CTUs, it has also been decided to send the joint representation to ILO, as according to them the suspension so far being made by States like in Uttar Pradesh where major labor laws have been suspended, in Madhya Pradesh which has tweaked some rules amid the lockdown to encourage economic activity, violates international commitments on labor standards and human rights.
Uttar Pradesh’s government has brought a draconian ordinance namely Temporary Exemption for certain labor laws ordinance 2020, according to which the government has got the power to suspend certain labor laws. Using which, the State Government with one stroke suspended 38 laws for 1000 days excepting for some like that of section 5 of Payments of Wages Act 1934, Compensation Act 1993, Construction Workers Act 1996 and Bonded Labour Act 1976. The laws suspended areas Interstate Migrant Labour Act, Trade Union Act, Industrial Disputes Act, Contract Labour Act, Maternity Benefit Act, Act on Occupational Safety and Health, etc.
According to the statement, the Government of Government has planned to increase the working hours from 8 to 12 hours while the Madhya Pradesh government has tweaked labor laws. They further added that many other states Haryana, Odisha, Maharashtra, Rajasthan are also taking the same move.
According to the information so far supplied, the leaders of 10 Trade Unions planned to organize a day-long hunger strike on May 22 at Gandhi Samadhi, Rajghat, New Delhi, and simultaneously the protest would take place in other areas. However, out of 10 RSS-backed Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has not shown any official consent for the protest on 22nd but will plan it to do on another day.
Unions demands:
According to the statements given, the demands include immediate relief to stranded workers for safe reaching to their homes, food to be made available to all, universal coverage of ration distribution, cash transfer to all unorganized labor force (registered or unregistered or self-employed), among others.
By
Sakshi Raje
Student Reporter