Port Blair, Oct 3: CITU, A&N State Committee has organized a Seminar today at Port Blair in connection with the International Action Day, call for which was given by the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU).  This year’s theme for the International Action Day was “Work with Rights, No to Flexibilities and No to Exploitation.”  D. Ayyappan, Vice President, CITU State Committee, who was the main speaker, dealt in brief various problems confronted by the working class all over the world in general and those in India in particular. 

He said that various rights of the working class in the country are being sntached away by the BJP government at the centre. All the labour laws which were enacted over the years for the welfare of the workers are being repealed and in its place four labour codes are being brought to favour the corporate. He said that right to form Unions and Associations and conduct collective bargaining by workers are under threat during the present government. He further said that workers are being exploited through various measures and the government does not come for their help. He expressed concern over the growing unemployment, price rise, etc in the country which directly affect the working class. 

Addressing the Seminar, B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU said that the BJP government at the centre and its Administration in the islands have failed to protect the interests of the workers in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He said that the enhanced Minimum Wages for the scheduled employment which is due from 1st January, 2023 is being denied to the workers. No action has been taken to revise the minimum wages despite the matter having been taken up with the Administration since 2022 by the CITU.   The Administration does not honour court orders which are in favour of the workers because of which workers are being forced to initiate litigation against the Administration.

Surendran Pillai, President, CITU State Committee who presided over the Seminar called upon the working class in the islands to strengthen CITU. SP Kalairajan, Secretary proposed vote of thanks. BC Bhattacherjee, Vice President, Shyamal Koley, Treasurer, Anand Rajan and M. Yugander Secretaries of CITU were also present on the occasion.

Hundreds of workers from Port Blair and rural South Andaman attended the Seminar.