CITU: Ordinances to hit 3.5 L labourers

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 15

More than 3.5 lakh labourers working in 5,175 registered factories in the state will be adversely affected by changes in the labour laws and the anti-labourers ordinances started by the government, said CITU’s state unit during a protest outside the Vidhan Sabha here today.

CITU’s state president, Vijender Mehra, said the ordinances would destroy the social security of contractual labourers, making them bonded workers. “The working hours of the labourers will increase from eight to 12. This will result in their exploitation and about one-third workers will be rendered jobless,” said Mehra.

The changes will snatch the right of the labourers to go on a strike and the lay-off process in the establishments employing more than 200 labourers will become totally against the workers.

The CITU demanded that these ordinances, brought on the pretext of Covid were anti-Constitutional and should be withdrawn immediately.