Asangathit Kshetra Shramik Sangrami Manch launches Minimum Wage Campaign for unorganised workers

Kolkata, 31 January 2010: 650 workers from 15 unions in the unorganised sector assembled at University Institute Hall, Kolkata to discuss issues and problems in their sector, especially related to payment of wages.

Those present unanimously agreed that the problem of low wages for the unorganised sector workers had become a pressing one. They also agreed that there was today increasing casualisation of the work force; This situation was being excaberated by non-implementation of labour laws, as well as the lack of provision for punishment of erring employers in the law. The need therefore was for united action by workers in the unorgansied sector.

The convention led to the establishment of a new front named as Asanghathit Khetra Shramik Sangrami Manch to fight for the rights of unorganised sector workers. The main demands of the front are as follows :-

  1. The government must ensure payment of the statutory minimum wages to all workers.
  2. Minimum wages must be amended every 4 years and dearness allowance must accurately reflect price rise.
  3. All workers in the unorganised sector must be given identity cards, pay slips and proof of attendance.
  4. All agents and labour contractors must be licensed before they are allowed to take migratory workers out for work.
  5. All unorganised sector workers must be covered under social security legislation and their inclusion in the BPL list must be made compulsory.
  6. Under NREGA, 100 days of work must be provided to all workers under NREGA.
  7. Contract workers must be made permanent and be given equal wages for equal work.
  8. Men and women must receive equal wages for equal work.
  9. The minimum wage must be increased to Rs.260 per day.
  10. Legal action must be taken against dishonest labour exploitation and existing labour laws must be implemented properly.

The Sangrami Manch also declared its program , which consists of deputations from Gram Panchayat to District level from February to May, to be followed by a mass rally at Kolkata in May. The Manch will also approach other sections , as well as intellectuals to support their demands. It will take recourse to legal action.

Amongst those who addressed the convention were Santosh Rana, Vaskar Nandy, Swapan Ganguly, Prithwish Bose, Barnali, Naba Dutta, Anuradha Talwar, Somnath Ghosh and Ram Nagina Pandey.

The unions and organisations that have joined the Manch are:

  • Shramajivi Samanvay Committee
  • Hosiery Workers Unity Centre
  • Paschim Banga Khet Majur Samity
  • Kalyani Solvex Shramik Union
  • Liquor Shop Employees Union
  • Paschim Banga Cha Bagan Shramik Karmachari Union
  • Eastern Rail Construction and Contractor Majdur Union
  • Gramin Shramik Union
  • Shramajivi Mahila Samity
  • Uttar Dinajpur Sericulture Farm Workers Union
  • Murshidabad Biri Shramik Union
  • Tehatta Biri Workers Union
  • ICML Shramik Union
  • West Bengal Rural Workers Union
  • Nagarik Manch

On behalf of the Campaign, Swapan Ganguly and Somenath Ghosh

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