Trade unions stage protests in districts, demand repeal of Labour Codes

Claiming that the policies of the Central government are anti-worker and anti-national, members of various trade unions staged a protest here on Thursday.

Holding flags of their respective unions, the members took out a march from Kalaimadu Silai towards the railway station to stage a rail roko. However, police personnel prevented the march.

The protesters demanded the repeal of the four labour codes, stating that they adversely affect workers and farmers. They alleged that the codes restrict the right to strike and fail to provide adequate social security. The members claimed that the labour codes benefit capitalists rather than workers. They also demanded the restoration of the MGNREGS scheme and the withdrawal of amendments to various laws affecting farmers. After the protest, they dispersed.

Similar protests were staged in Bhavani, Gobichettipalayam and Sathyamangalam, in which over 1,500 people took part. They were removed by police personnel and released after an hour. The nationwide strike called by 10 central trade unions did not affect the public, as transport and other services operated as usual.

Women cadre of the DMK staging a protest in Krishnagiri.
| Photo Credit:
N. BASHKARAN

Members of various unions staged road rokos in Salem and Namakkal districts.

More than 300 members of various trade unions gathered at Salem Fort locality and raised slogans highlighting their demands and later staged a road roko. The police asked them to withdraw their protest, but the members continued the protest. Following this, the police arrested them and lodged them at marriage halls. Later, they were released.

In Namakkal district, trade union members gathered before Indian Bank at Tiruchengode and staged a road roko and raised slogans against the Union government. The police arrested 275 people, including 41 women, and lodged them at a marriage hall, and later released them. Due to the protest, traffic movement was affected in the locality for 30 minutes.

Hundreds of workers rallied behind the general strike in Krishnagiri and Hosur.

Over 2,475 cadres of various trade unions that included CITU, AITUC, LPF, INTUC and farmers’ associations thronged the streets slamming the Union government’s policies on various issues.

The protesters also slammed the Free Trade Agreement with the United States that included import of unspecified agricultural produce into the country. The labour unions demanded the revocation of the Seed Act, 2025; and demanded implementation of 200 days of rural wage guarantee. The trade unions also demanded health insurance for unorganised workers through welfare boards; and time scale pay for anganwadi and Asha workers and Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam workers.

Workers, led by CITU, staged a protest demonstration outside Ashok Leyland. Similarly, in Krishnagiri, Bank Employees Union staged protest striking work

The DMK held a protest in support of the general strike near the new bus stand grounds in Krishnagiri.

The protest called as part of the general strike slammed the Union government for refusing funds to the State and allegedly axing the rural employment guarantee programme. The protesters also slammed the AIADMK alleging its betrayal of the State and its people with its partnership with the BJP.