Trade Unions and Farmers' Front Organize State-Level Conference in Trichy Ahead of Nationwide Strike
In a significant show of unity, central trade unions along with the Farmers' United Front organized a state-level preparatory conference in Trichy on Friday. The event aimed to mobilize robust support for the upcoming All India general strike scheduled for February 12, which is being called in protest against the Union government's policies.
Major Unions and Fronts Unite in Strong Opposition
The conference saw active participation from representatives of key labor organizations including LPF, CITU, AITUC, INTUC, HMS, AICCTU, LLF, UTUC, and SKM. The meeting was held at the Uzhavar Sandhai venue, where attendees collectively labeled the government's policies as anti-worker, anti-farmer, anti-people, and anti-democratic. In a unanimous decision, they passed six resolutions demanding the immediate withdrawal of these policies.
Key Demands and Resolutions Highlighted
The delegates put forward several critical demands during the conference. They called for the complete repeal of the four labour codes, arguing that these codes push nearly 80% of the workforce outside the scope of legal protections. According to the union leaders, this move primarily benefits large Indian and multinational capitalists while allowing unchecked business operations.
In addition, the conference termed the seed bill as detrimental to farmers and urged the central government to establish a remunerative Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all agricultural produce. Another major demand was the scrapping of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, which aims to privatize power generation and distribution.
Condemnation of Recent Government Actions
The conference also strongly condemned the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the MGNREGA scheme, along with the reduction in central funding and the shifting of the financial burden to states. Furthermore, the delegates urged a reversal of the decision permitting 100% foreign direct investment in the insurance sector, citing concerns over sovereignty and public welfare.
Warning of Intensified Actions
The union leaders emphasized that the general strike on February 12 serves as a warning to the Centre. They indicated that more intensified actions could follow in the coming months if their demands are not addressed. This mobilization underscores the growing discontent among workers and farmers across the state and the country.
