People's Democracy

Delhi All Set for Mahapadav

THERE are approximately one crore workers working in various government schemes. But all these workers are denied the status of a worker or employee and are called ‘social workers,’ ‘activists,’ ‘volunteers,’ ‘friends,’ etc. They are getting as remuneration only meagre amounts which are called honorarium, incentive, etc.

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has been conducting a countrywide campaign on the common demands of these scheme workers --- for their minimum wages, social security, pension and regularisation. Soon this campaign is set to reach a new height with a massive and unprecedented Mahapadav (grand sit-in) which would be organised in Delhi on November 26-27, 2012. Nearly 50,000 scheme workers from all over India, mainly the Anganwadi employees, ASHA workers and mid-day meal workers, have been participating in this important struggle and will join the Mahapadav.

A reception committee for the Mahapadav was recently formed in a meeting held at BTR Bhawan, with M L Malkotia (president, Delhi state CITU) as the chairman, K Hemalata (secretary, CITU) as the convenor, and Ranjana Nirula (treasurer, CITU, and convenor of the All India Coordination Committee of ASHA Workers) and A R Sindhu (general secretary, All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers) as joint convenors. Representatives of several class and mass organisations are members of this committee.

The meeting was presided over by K Hemalata. CITU general secretary Tapan Sen explained the CITU’s perspective about the problems of the scheme workers and the details of the programme. Hannan Mollah, joint secretary of the All India Agricultural Workers Union, said the scheme workers come mainly from the agricultural labourers’ class and that the AIAWU would extend all possible support not only to the programme but in organising and mobilising this section as well.

Leaders of various unions affiliated to the CITU and also from the All India Kisan Sabha, All India Agricultural Workers Union, Northern Zone Insurance Employees Association and National Federation of Postal Employees attended the meeting.