Workers to strengthen the battle:To save the nation, To save the people
AITUC a pioneer organization of Trade Unions that was founded in 1920 has entered into the 103rd year of its history of struggles in the interest of the working masses and is holding its 42nd National Conference from 16th to 20th December 2022 at Allapuzha.
The preparations are going on in a grand manner. The state conferences and sectoral Federation conferences are going on.
The delegates from the unions of almost all sectors in the organized /formal and unorganized/informal economy and most of the states would participate. The general secretary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), and fraternal delegates from some Unions from abroad would also grace the occasion. The leaders of the Central Trade Unions would also participate in the open session on the 17th morning to give their greetings. The previous evening on 16th December, the jathas would be received and flag hoisting would be accomplished.
This historic conference is being held in the background of ever-growing economic crises in the country and the world. The job loss, rising prices of essential goods, unprecedented unemployment, education, and healthcare becoming expensive, and growing inequality in the living standards is making life miserable for the common people. The growing poverty and once again rise in child labor instances, falling hunger index and growing gender gaps make it graver.
Instead of taking measures to salvage the situation, the govt is pursuing the agenda of Privatisation/Disinvestment and sale of Public Sector enterprises, National assets including infrastructure, and the detriment of the Natural resource to the national interest. Day in and day out the policy decisions taken are helping the corporate of Indian and foreign brands to earn huge profits at the cost of the lives of the common man. The loot of the Corporates in the huge loans taken from Public Sector banks is being written off as ten lakh crores in the last six years in the government records and furthering the loot in the name of haircut through the Insolvency law.
The trade unions are the natural opponents to such policies and giving organized battles are under attack by the govt. With the aim to cripple and contain the trade unions the labour law changes, and bundling of 29 labor laws into four codes are being pushed. The struggle of 150 years of the labor movement to achieve their labour rights is under attack by this anti-labor, anti-farmer Modi Government.
On the other side, Modi-led BJP-RSS govt shelters those who spread hatred
and polarization in society disturbing the peaceful living of people in harmony. Those sitting in power, several ministers, MPs, MLAs or the important leaders of the ruling regime give statements now and then vitiating the environment. Those who oppose are cornered through the misuse of government machinery and various of its arms. The Indian constitution, its core values under attack, and the federal structure are under attack. The institution of the governor is also being misused.
The Central Trade Unions have been taking the call under a joint platform for the last several years including nationwide campaigns and strike actions.
On 30th January a National Convention of Workers is planned to be held in Delhi to take action programmes for the coming period.
Our conference will discuss all these issues, for sharpening the struggle of the working class, for strengthening the bond between workers and farmers movements, working in solidarity with other sections of society to challenge and for reverse the retrograde policies of the Modi govt.
The Indian working class is a proud participant in the freedom struggle of the country from colonial rule and AITUC played its glorious role. The working class was a key component in the National development project of independent India.
It is time for the working class to rise to the occasion and save freedom, its achievements, and national wealth. if
We are holding the Conference in the land of great punapara velar martyrs, it inspires us.
It is a battle to save a nation, and save people.
