Sri Vijaya Puram, May 12: At the call given by the National Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations to observe 12.05.2026 as National Demands Day, CITU Andaman & Nicobar State Committee organized a Mass Demonstration at 4 p.m. today (12.05.2026) in front of the Municipal Council at Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram). Inaugurating the programme, R. Surendran Pillai, President, CITU State Committee briefly explained the demands on which the National Demands Day is observed. He called upon the workers in the islands to remain united under the banner of CITU to oppose various anti-working-class policies of the Modi government.
Addressing the participants in the programme, D. Ayyappan, Vice President, CITU State Committee said that thousands of workers in the industrial establishments situated in the States of UP, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajastan, etc have come out to protest the exploitation of the workers. He said that only Rs. 10,000 were being paid as monthly salary for these workers for 10-hour duty in a day. He criticized the central government and BJP-ruled State Governments of the above states for the flagrant violation of labour laws and not enhancing the minimum wages. He condemned the massive arrest and harassment of hundreds of workers by the State governments for voicing their genuine demands.
SP Kalairajan, Secretary, CITU State Committee while addressing the programme condemned the implementation of anti-working class four Labour Codes. Anand Rajan, Secretary, CITU State Committee also spoke on the occasion. P. Sathyapal & M. Yugander, Secretaries of CITU State Committee were also present.
Copies of the newly notified four Labour Codes were burnt during the mass demonstration in protest against its implementation by the Modi government.
A large number of workers, mostly women workers carrying placards, from Port Blair and rural South Andaman participated in the programme. The demands highlighted during the National Demands Day were 1. Immediate and unconditional release of all arrested workers and activists; withdrawal of all false cases; an end to repression and illegal detentions, 2. Withdrawal of Anti-worker Labour Codes; Immediate tripartite talks with trade unions and urgent convening of Indian Labour Conference, 3. Minimum wage of Rs 26,000 per month, 4. Strict 8-hour workday, double overtime payment for extra work ensured workplace safety and other statutory benefits, 5. Equal wages and benefits for contract workers; abolition of the contract labour system in permanent jobs through regularization and 7. Affordable LPG and control over the prices of essential commodities.