In Mandi too, worker unions, farmers protest against new labour laws, privatisation

Thousands of workers and farmers took to the streets of Mandi on Thursday, responding to a nationwide call by central trade unions and farmers’ organisations, to protest against recent labour and employment policy changes.

Organised under the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Farmers’ Organisations, the rally saw participants march through the town, raising slogans against what they described as anti-worker and anti-farmer policies of the BJP-led Central Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A key issue raised was the alleged discontinuation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which the protesters said, had deprived nearly 12 crore rural families of assured employment and livelihood security. Speakers also criticised the recently passed “Viksit Bharat Gramin Rozgar evam Aajeevika Guarantee” legislation, calling it anti-people and demanding its withdrawal.

The strike focused heavily on opposition to the four labour codes passed by the government, which the unions described as anti-worker. Protestors demanded their repeal and replacement with more worker-friendly laws.

Major demands included a minimum monthly wage of Rs 30,000 for workers; regularisation of Anganwari workers, mid-day meal staff and other scheme workers with government employee status and benefits; implementation of gratuity provisions; restoration of MGNREGA; and withdrawal of the Viksit Bharat rural employment law. Additional demands included halting disinvestment and privatisation of public services, regularisation of outsourced and contractual workers, withdrawal of 12-hour duty and fixed-term employment policies, halting night shift orders for women, adequate compensation for disaster-affected individuals, rollback of the smart meter scheme, and regularisation of 102 and 108 ambulance service staff under the Street Vendors Act.

The speakers warned that failure to address these grievances could trigger more intense protests in the coming months, holding both the Central and state governments responsible for any escalation.

Prominent participants included CITU district general secretary Rajesh Sharma, INTUC state vice President YP Kapoor, Roadside Vendor Association President Surender Kumar, Himachal Pradesh Medical Representatives Association President Prakash Thakur, SBI outsourced worker representative Jyawanti, 102 and 108 Union District President Sumit, Mid-Day Meal representative Jaychand, AITUC leader Lalit, Naujawan Sabha State President Suresh Sarwal, Mahila Samiti President Veena Vaidya and Gopender Praveen Kumar.