We have already informed our units about the decisions and Declaration of the National Convention of trade unions and kisan organisations held at Delhi on 24th August, 2023. In the light of the anti-worker, anti-farmer policies of the Government, the Convention decided to undertake protest programmes on various important issues of the workers and farmers.
The Convention decided to observe 3rd October, 2023 as Black Day and called upon all unions to undertake protest programmes. In the Central Committee meeting of AIBEA held recently in Guwahati, it was decided to observe the day by Badge Wearing programme. (Note: Badge Wearing on 13th Oct. is on our demand for recruitment)
Charter of Demands
- Control price rise, remove GST on the essential items like food, medicines, agro-inputs and machinery, reduce substantially central excise duty on petroleum products and cooking gas.
- Railway concessions to Senior Citizens, Women, Differently-abled persons, Sports persons, withdrawn under the pretext of Covid, be restored.
- Guarantee Food Security and Universalize Public Distribution System.
- Guarantee Right to Free Education, Right to health, water and sanitation for all. Scrap New Education Policy, 2020.
- Ensure housing for all.
- Stringent implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA); withdraw the amendments to Forest (Conservation) Act, 2023 and Bio-diversity Act and Rules that allow the union government to permit clearance of a forest without even informing the residents. Ensure land to the Tiller.
- National Minimum Wage of Rs.26000/-p.m.
- Convene Indian Labour Conference regularly.
- Stop privatization of Public Sector Enterprises, Government Departments and scrap National Monetization Pipeline (NMP). Amend existing law on mining of minerals and metals and ensure 50% share of profit from mines including coal mines for upliftment of local communities, especially Adivasis and Farmers.
- Withdraw the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022. No pre-paid smart meters.
- Right to work be made fundamental. Fill sanctioned posts and generate employment for the unemployed. Expand and implement MGNREGS (200 days per year and Rs.600/-p.d. wage). Enact Urban Employment Guarantee Act.
- Increase subsidy to farmers on seed, fertilizers and electricity, legally guarantee MSP @ C- 2+50% for farmers’ produce and guarantee procurement. Prevent Farmers’ suicides at all costs.
- Withdraw the pro-corporate PM Fasal Bima Yojana and establish a comprehensive Public Sector Crop Insurance Scheme for all crops, to compensate farmers for losses due to climatic change, drought, flood, crop related diseases, etc.
- Declare Comprehensive Loan Waiver Scheme to free all the farm households from the trap of indebtedness.
- Implement written assurances given by the Union government, based on which the historic Kisan Struggle was suspended : Memorial at Singhu Border for all the martyred farmers, pay compensation and rehabilitate their families, withdraw all pending cases, prosecute Ajay Mishra Teni, the Union MoS for Home.
- Withdraw four labour codes, Fixed Term Employment and ensure equality and safety at work. Stop casualization of labour. All categories of unorganized workers, such as Home-based Workers, Hawkers, Rag-Pickers, Domestic Workers, Construction Workers, Migrant workers, Scheme Workers, Agricultural Workers, Workers in Shop/Establishments, Loading/Unloading Workers, Gig Workers, Salt-pan Workers, Beedi Workers, Toddy-tappers, Rikshaw-pullers, Auto/ Rikshaw/Taxi Drivers, Ex-patriate Workers, Fishing Community etc. be registered and given portability in comprehensive social security, including pension.
- Give ESI Coverage to Construction Workers, with contributions from the Welfare Fund, also give coverage of health schemes, maternity benefits, life and disability insurance to all workers registered on E-Shram Portal.
- Ratify ILO Conventions on Domestic Workers and Home-based Workers and make appropriate laws. Make comprehensive policy on Migrant Workers, strengthen existing Inter-state Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1979 providing portability of their social security cover.
- Scrap NPS, restore OPS and provide Social Security to ALL.
- Tax the Super Rich; Enhance Corporate Tax; Re-introduce Wealth Tax and Succession Tax.
- Stop attack on core values of the Constitution – freedom of expression, right to dissent, freedom of religion, diverse cultures, languages, equality before law and federal structure of the country etc.
We call upon all our Unions to undertake Badge Wearing programme on 3-10-2023 by supplying Badges to all our branch units/members.
With greetings,
Yours Comradely,
C.H. VENKATACHALAM GENERAL SECRETARY
ALL INDIA DEMANDS DAY 3rd OCTOBER, 2023
WE SUPPORT
THE DEMANDS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF WORKERS AND FARMERS
• •
WE OPPOSE ANTI-WORKER & ANTI-FARMER POLICIES OF GOVERNMENT
STOP PRIVATISATION OF BANKS SCRAP NEW PENSION SCHEME
ALL INDIA BANK EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION