People's Democracy

      Convention Demands Legislation For Unorganised Labour

 P R Krishnan

A JOINT convention organised by several trade unions on May 30 in Pune unanimously demanded the central and state governments to enact a comprehensive legislation to protect the interests of the unorganised labour force of the country. The convention also passed a resolution listing the demands of the unorganised labour and decided to stage a huge demonstration in Mumbai on August 9, in which scores of unorganised labourers will descend on Mumbai from different districts to take part in the rally.

The unprotected labour employed in the organised industrial sector in Maharashtra is considered to be more than 50 lakh and those employed in the unorganised sector is estimated to be about 75 lakh. A substantial section of this 1.25 crore neglected labour force can be found to be in the employment of even public sector industries, including in some state and central government services. However, agricultural workers comprise the highest block in the category of unorganised workers, followed by beedi, powerloom and head load workers.

The convention, attended by 510 delegates representing different industries and organisations, was held at S M Joshi Socialist Foundation Hall at Navipet in this cultural city of Pune. A presidium comprising of R G Karnik (State Government Employees Confederation) K L Bajaj (CITU), Sarad Rao (FMKP), Dada Samant (Kamgar Aghadi) P R Menon (NRMU), Yeshwant Chavan (Sarva Sramik Sangh), A D Golandaz (AITUC), Haunmant Thate (HMS), Ushatai Datta (Ghar Kamgar Sanghatana) and Jayant Chavan (SSS) conducted the proceedings.

The HMS leader, Suryakant Bagal, at the outset explained the problems facing the unorganised workers. It was CITU leader, Ajit Abhyankar, who moved the main resolution containing the demands of the workers. The most important amongst the demands listed in the resolution was to make the principle employer responsible for the protection of the workers employed by him.

In all, 17 delegates spoke in the convention. Among the speakers were well known social workers of Pune, Baba Adav and Dada Samant (Kamgar Ahgadi), Dr. Vivek Monterio (Theckadhari Virodhi Manch), Professor C R Sadasivan (BUCTU), Kiran Moghe (AIDWA), Subha Momin (Anganwadi Workers Union), Datta Mane and M H Sheikh.

P R Krishanan of CITU introduced a resolution expressing serious concern about the Kerala High Court division bench judgement of May 28 advocating deployment of military and para-military forces to deal with situations arising from strike, bandh and hartals. The resolution registered the convention’s strong protest against the judgement and stated that the rights secured by the working class as a result of their struggles and sacrifices will not be surrendered. Dada Samant supported the resolution, which was passed unanimously.