Farmers, workers march against Centre, state policies in Rohtak

Farmers and trade union workers, including women, took out a protest march in the city today against the policies of the Centre and the state BJP governments, claiming these had led to indebtedness and rising unemployment.

The demonstration was held on the call of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Central Trade Unions to mark the fifth anniversary of the 2020 farmers’ movement against the three farm laws.

“Since then, the PM Modi-led government has not only failed to honour the promises made to the SKM on December 9, 2021, regarding a legal guarantee for MSP, the Electricity Amendment Bill and other assurances, but has gone ahead and notified the four retrograde labour codes, replacing 29 hard-earned labour laws. These render workers and employees at the mercy of corporate profits, who treat them no better than bonded labourers,” said Inderjit Singh, vice-president of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS).

He also accused the BJP-led state government of failing to disburse compensation for Kharif crop losses caused by floods, sharply increasing tractor registration fees, deleting BPL cards, protecting influential persons allegedly involved in the paddy ghost procurement scam and allowing the high-handedness of private bus transporters, among other issues affecting ordinary people.

Trade union leader Satbir Singh urged workers to unite against what he described as a BJP regime seeking to divide people on caste and communal lines as a strategy to impose dictatorship and corporate rule.

Karnal workers seek withdrawal of Labour Codes

Karnal: On a call of the central trade unions for a nationwide protest, scores of employees, labourers, workers and farmers staged a protest in Karnal city on Wednesday against the new labour codes. Terming the new labour codes introduced by the Central Government as a “betrayal” and “fraud” with the working class, the protesters demanded their immediate withdrawal.

The protesters gathered at Gandhi Chowk and held a sit-in until afternoon. Union leaders addressed the gathering, criticising government policies and alleging that the new codes undermine labour rights and protections. The protesters marched to Mini-Secretariat, where they burned copies of the labour codes.

A memorandum listing their demands addressed to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister was submitted to the Tehsildar.

Sushil Gurjar, district president of the Sarv Karamchari Sangh, said workers and farmers played a key role in India’s freedom struggle, yet their rights were being weakened today. “The four new labour codes are not in favour of the workers. Earlier, 44 labour laws protected the rights of the workers and women. Now, even the concept of minimum wages is being diluted. The government is anti-worker and anti-farmer. If the labour codes are not withdrawn, we will intensify our agitation,” he said.

BKU spokesperson Surender Sangwan said the government had failed to fulfil the promises made to farmers five years ago. “The farmers in Haryana are exploited during paddy procurement. Crop agreements have worked against farmers’ interests. Through repeated protests, we are reminding the government of its commitments. The promise to procure crops at MSP must be fulfilled,” he added.