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Trade Unions Present 17-Point Demand Charter, Criticize Economic Policies

February 29, 2024 | Archyde News Desk

A united forum of Ten Trade Unions has presented a complete 17-point charter of demands to the government, outlining concerns over economic policies and worker rights. The demands encompass a wide range of issues affecting the labor force and the broader economy.

Key demands include the immediate withdrawal of fixed-term employment practices and the scrapping of the Agnipath scheme.The forum is also advocating for an 8-hour workday, the restoration of the non-contributory Old Pension Scheme, and a minimum monthly pension of Rs 9,000 for Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) subscribers.

The forum alleges that current economic policies are exacerbating unemployment, driving up the prices of essential commodities, suppressing wages, and leading to cuts in crucial social sector spending. These factors, they contend, are contributing to growing inequalities and hardship for the poor, lower-income groups, and the middle class.

moreover, the unions express strong opposition to the recently passed four labor codes. They argue these codes are designed to suppress the trade union movement, extend working hours, curtail workers’ rights to collective bargaining and strike action, and decriminalize violations of labor laws by employers.

The charter also calls for the implementation of recommendations from the Indian Labor Conference. Specifically, it seeks worker status and ESIC coverage for scheme workers, including those in Anganwadi, Asha, Midday Meal, and Asha Kiran programs.

–PTI