Himachal: CITU, Kisan Sabha stage protests against labour codes, trade deals
Thousands of workers and farmers participated in the protests and raised slogans against the Central Government
The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), along with the Himachal Kisan Sabha, staged protests at 25 locations across Himachal Pradesh on Monday against the four labour codes, the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the India-US trade deal.
Thousands of workers and farmers participated in the protests and raised slogans against the Central Government, accusing it of pursuing “anti-labour, anti-farmer and anti-people” policies.
A “Jail Bharo Andolan” was also held in Shimla, Rampur and Nahan. However, no arrests were made by the police. Addressing protesters in Shimla, CITU state president Vijendra Mehra said, “The time has come for a decisive struggle against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central Government over its anti-farmer, anti-labour and pro-corporate policies.” Terming the labour codes “anti-labour”, Mehra said they would promote bonded labour and slavery and exclude 74 per cent of workers from the scope of labour laws.
“The FTA and the India-US trade deal will push agriculture and industry into crisis. Apple and other fruit cultivation in Himachal Pradesh will be ruined, while crops across the country will be threatened. Many industries will be affected and workers will be laid off,” he said. Mehra said the organisations were demanding the repeal of the four labour codes.
