By TC News Desk
Agartala, 21st November 2024: Workers across the country called for a strike on November 26, 2022 in response to the Narendra Modi-led government’s attempt to implement four labor codes and three controversial agricultural laws. This led to the Delhi Chalo campaign, where farmers and workers united in protest. As the government failed to fulfill its promises, a Chetagni gathering has been scheduled nationwide on the fourth anniversary of the historic farmers’ movement and the All India Workers’ Strike.
In Tripura, the main event will take place in Agartala, with a procession and rally at Paradise Chowmuhani. “The government will be given a three-month deadline to meet our demands, failing which we will initiate a nationwide movement again,” announced Samyukta Kisan Morcha convener Pabitra Kar at a press conference here on Thursday.
Kar accused the Modi government of violating a written promise made to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha on December 9, 2021. “We are protesting against policies that harm workers, farmers, and agricultural laborers. We demand alternative policies that serve the public interest,” he stated.
The key demands include setting the minimum support price of all crops at C2+50 percent with a legal guarantee of government procurement, immediate withdrawal of the four labor codes, and a ban on contract labor recruitment and outsourcing in the government sector. Additionally, they demand a minimum wage of Rs. 26,000 per month and a pension of Rs. 10,000 per month, along with job security for all workers.
To prevent indebtedness and suicides among farmers and agricultural workers, they call for the waiver of all government and private loans and the provision of low-interest loans. “Privatization will not be allowed in any state and government sectors such as defense, railways, health, education, and electricity,” Kar emphasized.
He urged the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and central trade unions to involve workers, farmers, agricultural laborers, women, students, youth, cultural workers, progressive individuals, and marginalized communities in large numbers for the upcoming protests.
