Jammu, February 22 (Scoop News) On the call of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) a massive Jhatha of workers including women assembled at Vikram Chowk, Jammu to proceed for Delhi to participate in Feb. 23 March to parliament. The workers carrying placards, banners and red flags were shouting slogans against price rise, unemployment, violation of labour laws, disinvestments of public sector units and for safe guarding rights of unorganized workers and creation of a National Security Scheme.The protestors marched towards Railway Station.
Mohd.Yousuf Tarigami, State President of CITU and MLA Kulgam while addressing the gathering demanded for immediate steps to check the continues price rise of all the essential commodities, particularly the food articles. Even the Dal and Roti the staple food of the poor have gone beyond their reach. Despite the FCI Godowns overflowing with 5.7 crore tones of food grains, the government refuses to distribute them at cheaper rates through the PDS, which would have helped in bringing down the market price. The deregulation of petrol price by the UPA-II Govt. and its intention to deregulate the prices of diesel and cooking gas, the consequence increase in the price of petrol six times in the last six months has also contributed to the price rise.
According to survey by the Labour Bureau of India, unemployment has reached an alarming proportion of 9.4 per cent. A huge number of workers in many sectors loss their jobs due to the global economic crises. Tarigami demanded that job protection should be conditional for extending stimulus package for industry effected by the global economic crisis. But sad to note that even though government continue granting package to the big corporates on the pretext of global economic crisis but it has not taken any measure to protect the jobs of the workers.
Regarding labour laws, Tarigami stated that instead of ensuring implementation of the labour laws, the Union and State governments are resorting to the brutal police repression on the workers and their union leaders.
Tarigami denounced the use of brutal force against the peaceful demonstrators of state employees and detention of their leaders. He urged upon the administration to desist from using force against workers, employees and un-employed youth. He also appealed to the different trade unions in the state to come closer and initiate united struggle to get their legitimate demands fulfilled.
Om Prakash General Secretary stressed upon the state government to increase the wages and improve the service conditions of ASHA workers, Anganwari and midday meal workers who are playing a very significant role in society. He appealed to the working class to strengthen its unity and brace itself for such struggles if govt. continues to be insensitive to the plight of the common people.
Javed Zargar, Working President CITU in his address demanded that the minimum wage should be paid to Bhatha Mazdoor, industrial workers, construction workers and unorganized workers.
Sham Prasad Kesar, senior trade union leader while addressing the rally opposed the disinvestment and sales of public assets. The predominant role of public sector in our economy is also being consciously reduced as in the case of Insurance Sector, BSNL and Air India by unrestricted entry of private corporate sector.
Other leaders Misra and Anita President and General secretary respectively ASHA workers urged upon the government to grant minimum wages and other facilities to ASHA workers in the state.
Abdul Rashid Najar senior CITU leader from Kashmir region, Ramesh Chand Joint Secretary CITU, Kulbeer Singh General Secretary Bhatta Workers Union, O.P Khajoria leader Mid Day Meal Workers Union also addressed the protestors.