Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union facing acute shortage of funds

Tribune News Service

Malout, June 20

To keep their struggle alive against the Central and state governments, farm labourers have started donating their daily wages as contribution to the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union. Union members have said that the union is facing an acute shortage of funds and facing problems in carrying out its activities for the welfare of farm labourers.

Lachman Singh Sewewala, general secretary, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, said, “Our union takes a firm stand whenever there is any issue concerning farm labourers. But we are facing an acute shortage of funds these days. Unlike farmer unions, we don’t have enough resources. Thus we had appealed to our members to contribute their daily wages for one or two days so that the funds can be generated to carry out our future activities.”

“Luckily, farm labourers of two villages — Khunde Halal and Bhuttiwala in Muktsar district — have agreed to contribute their wages for one or two days. Now, farm labourers from some other villages too are coming forward for contribution,” he added.

Notably, in the past, whenever a farm labourer died while working or due to any unnatural reason, the union has always lodged a protest demanding compensation. Sometimes, the union even lodged a protest for over a week. Besides, it is regularly taking out flag marches in villages to spread awareness among farm labourers about their rights. The union has time and again lodged a protest seeking work under the MGNREGA and release of their wages as well.

The union has also waged a war seeking free five-marla plot for the landless people.

The union activists claimed that they had nearly 3,000 members across the state and 800 of them belonged to Muktsar district.