CITU stages protest outside DC office in Shimla, demands roll back of labour codes

On a nationwide call of central trade unions and national federations, thousands of individuals associated with Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) and other similar organisations staged a strike and protested outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Shimla on Thursday against the four new labour codes.

Demanding a rollback of the four labour codes, union members raised slogans against the central government and called its policies anti-worker and anti-people.

Similar protests were also held at district and block levels across the state. Addressing the protest, Vijendra Mehra, state president, CITU, said the four labour codes implemented by the state government are anti-labour, which would promote bonded labour.

He stated that with the implementation of the labour code, about 70 percent of industries and 74 percent of workers will be outside the scope of labour laws.

“Provisions have been made for severe punishments and fines for workers who strike. Instead of permanent employment, contract and fixed-term employment will be promoted. Increasing working hours from eight to 12 hours will lead to bonded labour,” he said.

He said, “We demand that Anganwadi, Mid-Day Meal, and Asha workers should be declared as government employees and the government should implement gratuity and should also declare minimum wages of Rs 30,000 for workers.”

Megra also accused the central government of collusion with big corporate houses and said that the government was working for the benefit of several big corporate houses while the interests and rights of labourers and workers were being compromised by introducing anti-worker policies.

He further said that the unions will intensify their movement in the coming days if the government fails to adhere to their demands.