Port Blair, May 31: The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) observed its Foundation Day on 30th May 2013 at Tiranga Park. A Mass Dharna was held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. which culminated in massive public meeting at Tiranga Park.
Addressing the meeting, Shri B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU A&N State Committee criticized the Central government for pursuing various anti-working class policies and dealt in detail the struggles conducted by the Centre Of Indian Trade Unions since 1991.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri T.S. Sreekumar, Assistant General Secretary, Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association said that it is for the first time that all the central trade unions in the country have come together to voice their protest against the wrong policies of the government, which affects all sections of the working people. He said that the central government is slowly moving towards complete privatization.
The issues raised during the CITU foundation day included (1) Take concrete measures to contain Price rise, (2) Ensure strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive measures for violation of labour laws, (3) Universal social security cover for the unorganised sector workers without any restriction and creation of a National Social Security Fund with adequate resources in line with the recommendation of NCEUS and Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, (4) Payment of wages and benefits to the contract workers at the same rate as available to the regular workers of the industry /establishment (5) Amendment of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage irrespective of the schedules and fixation of statutory minimum wage at not less than Rs.10,000/.
Comrade D. Laxman Rao, CITU leader, Comrade S.P. Kalairajan, Circle Secretary, BSNL Employees Union also addressed the public meeting while Comrade S.B. Chatterjee presided over the meeting.