Mandi unions protest new labour codes

Mandi, July 18

Hundreds of workers of various unions, affiliated with Anganwadi and mid-day meal workers, MG-NREGA, street vendors and others, staged a massive demonstration under the banner of the CITU here today. The protest, part of a state-wide agitation organised by the CITU, was aimed at opposing the implementation of four labour codes by the Central Government.

Led by CITU District General Secretary Rajesh Sharma and other union leaders, the workers voiced their demands to repeal the contentious labour codes, which are slated for implementation by the Modi-led government. According to Sharma, these codes threaten to replace 44 existing labour laws and were being vehemently opposed nationwide.

Key demands put forth during the protest included an increase in monthly minimum wages of workers to Rs 26,000 and the restoration of labour rights that have been affected by the new codes. The demonstrators submitted memoranda to local authorities, outlining specific demands for each sector.