AITUC demands place rights of workers above those of corporates
the goan I network
PANAJI
Thousands of workers from industries, factories, mines, shipyards, commercial establishments, transport, government and semi-government departments began the rally from Panaji’s main bus stand marching through the city with posters and banners to culminate with a public meeting near the Panaji church.
Headed by AITUC general secretary Christopher Fonseca, the rally also featured president Prasanna Utagi, deputy general secretary R D Mangueshkar and secretary Suhaas Naik.
During his speech, Fonseca demanded for the rights of the working class to be put above those of corporate companies. “The offensive launched by the BJP-led NDA government on the working people and their hard-won rights at the behest of corporate lobby must stop. The hard-won rights must be protected in favour of the working class by waging relentless, dedicated and decisive struggles. The corporates have staked everything for the victory of BJP-led NDA alliance and now the new government headed by Prime Minister Modiji has started showering concessions and packages on the corporates and foreign multinational companies. The Modi government has also launched direct attacks on the democratic rights of the people, particularly the working class, by unleashing anti-labour amendments to the labour laws secured by the working class after relentless struggles,” he said.
Dr Amandeep Prabhudessai a renowned doctor who dedicated his life to serving the poor was felicitated. Juvenile Braganza a veteran communist who has served working people in Goa for last many years was also felicitated. A demand was also made to nationalize all the iron ore mines in the state. The meet also pledged support to Sonshi villagers who are demanding clean air and water.
Fonseca added that the working class was the worst affected by the changes in labour legislation and in a list of resolution adopted demanded that an able labour commissioner is appointed.
Roll back prices of petrol and diesel
Control prices of essential commodities
Recognize the right to organize and right to strike as fundamental right
Implement six-hour working shift
Restore interest rate on Provident Fund deposit at 12 percent
Stop sale of profit-making PSUs
Set-up national fund for unorganized workers
Promulgate minimum wage at the rate of ` 18,000 per month
Appoint permanent and able labour commissioner with an assured tenure of three years.
Set up all statutory boards including State Labour Advisory Board (SLAB), Contract Labour Abolition and Regularization of Contract Labour, Minimum Wages Board
Implement 7th Pay Commission recommendation to government corporations such as KTCL, PWD Labour Supply Society, Panchayat and autonomous bodies
Abolish contract labour system in PWD, GMC, health, education, forest, BSNL and regularize their services
Resolve the issue of tourist taxi and bus operators, trucks, rickshaws and other commercial vehicles
Protect the trade and business of liquor vendors
Stop commercialization of water resources
Appoint a permanent presiding officer in the Industrial Tribunal with a minimum five-year tenure
Stop attack on livelihoods of people and the reckless demolition of dwelling houses in the state
The offensive launched by the BJP-led NDA government on the working people and their hard-won rights at the behest of corporate lobby must stop. The hard-won rights must be protected in favour of the working class by waging dedicated and decisive struggles.”
”Christopher Fonseca, AITUC General Secretary
Domestic workers
pitch for rights
MARGAO: The Goa unit of the National Domestic Workers’ Movement organised a rally of domestic workers in the city here on Monday coinciding with May 1, International Workers’ Day, demanding recognition of domestic work as work and domestic workers as workers by bringing domestic work under the schedule of employment.
The rally taken out around the Margao Municipal Council garden also demanded fixation of minimum wages for domestic workers under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
Goa State Coordinator, NDWM Sr Escaline Miranda demanded constitution of either the State Social Security Board under the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act 2008 or a separate Welfare Board for Domestic workers.
“In Goa, domestic workers are called by nick names. They are given stale food and old clothes. While the workload of domestic workers keep increasing at the work places day by day, their salaries do not. The cost of living goes up, but domestic workers’ salary does not,”
Sr Miranda said.
She said the need for domestic workers is increasing by the day in Goa with increasing number of
nuclear families and both men and women taking
up jobs in the
middle-class families.
