BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 25th February 2026: The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) today observed “Protest Day” across the country, demanding immediate implementation of resolutions adopted at its 21st All India Conference held in Odisha. In West Tripura district, the local BMS unit submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate, urging both the central and state governments to address long-standing grievances of workers.
The memorandum highlighted that despite repeated appeals, critical issues affecting both organized and unorganized workers remain unresolved. Mid-day meal staff, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi employees—who have been serving for decades with minimal honorariums—were cited as examples of exploitation. Anganwadi workers, despite nearly five decades of service, continue to be classified as “scheme workers,” with no significant increase in remuneration, fueling resentment among the workforce.
The BMS also drew attention to the plight of National Textile Corporation (NTC) workers, who have been receiving only 50 percent wages since the pandemic, with months of arrears still unpaid. Employees of Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) in Ranchi and other public sector undertakings face similar wage delays. Pensioners under EPS-95, restricted to a minimum pension of ₹1,000 per month, are reportedly in severe financial distress. The memorandum further noted ongoing agitation in the banking sector over the demand for a five-day work week.
The demands raised by the BMS district unit are immediate convening of the Indian Labour Conference and revival of tripartite committees; introduction of a five-day work week in banking; enhanced monthly honorarium for all scheme workers; clearance of pending wages in NTC, HEC, ITI, HMT, and other PSUs; raising the minimum pension under EPS-95 from Rs 1,000 to Rs 7,500, along with dearness allowance; expansion of eligibility limits under ESI and EPF schemes; revision of wage ceilings under the Bonus Act in line with current pay structures; regularization of scheme and contractual workers in accordance with constitutional principles; and withdrawal of restrictions on general recruitment to ensure secure employment.
The BMS emphasized that failure to act on these demands would intensify worker unrest nationwide.
