Report by Kamgar Ekta Committee correspondent based on report of Kamgar Sanghtna Sanyukt Kruti Samiti, Nagpur (Labor Unions Joint Action Committee, Nagpur)
A massive convention of workers from Nagpur, Chandrapur, Bhandara, Gondia, Gadchiroli, and Wardha districts was organized by the Labor Unions Joint Action Committee, Nagpur, on April 20th from 12.00 to 4.00 PM at Comrade A.B. Bardhan Auditorium, Parwana Bhavan, Nagpur. The convention was held to demand the repeal of the 4 labour codes and to oppose the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill.
Hundreds of leaders and members of employee organizations from six districts of East Vidarbha attended this convention. Comrades Mohan Sharma, Ashok Dagde, Sham Kale, Mohammed Tajuddin, Subhash Ingle, Madhav Bonde and Maruti Wankhede were elected as the presidents of the convention.
While giving the background for organizing the conference of six districts of East Vidarbha, Mr. Ashok Dagde strongly criticized the government for the efforts made by the Central and various state governments to formulate and implement 4 new Labour Codes that suppress workers.
The conference was attended by Mr. Kailas Kadam (INTAC), Comrade Shyam Kale (IACT), Comrade Krishna Bhoyar (Vij Kamgar Nete), Dr. Ashok Gavankar, Dr. Vivek Mantonro (CITU), Vijay Kombe, Umesh Chandra Chilbule, Prakash Patil, Sudhakar Adabale, Comrade Shahid Ahmed etc.
Labor leaders while addressing the conference strongly criticized the anti-worker policy and capitalist patronage policy of the Central Government. Ten major labor unions of the country have held a national conference in Delhi on March 18 against the anti-worker policy of the Central Government. The state-wide conference of all labor unions was concluded in Mumbai on March 28. As a part of this, a grand convention is being held in Nagpur on April 20. All trade unions should put aside their differences and fight together against the anti-worker policies of the central and state governments. All the labor leaders expressed their resolve that the strike against the anti-worker policies of the central government on May 20 should be unprecedented.
The government has prepared to implement the 4 Labor Codes from May 1, 2025. The Maharashtra government has proposed a new law in the name of public safety, in the name of ‘prevention of certain illegal acts of individuals and organizations’. Thus, the NDA government at the Center and the BJP government in the state are imposing restrictions on workers, employees, and teachers’ organizations in the country. The state is conspiring to impose restrictions on the fundamental rights granted in the Indian Constitution by imposing a ban on protests and public meetings for their demands.
The government has already stopped recruitment. By keeping the permanent posts vacant, contract workers have been recruited in those places and their economic and social exploitation has started. The policy of privatizing all public industries, for example, railways, defence, electricity, coal, insurance and government offices, has been adopted to benefit their capitalist friends and to completely exploit the workers.
A resolution was passed in the meeting that lakhs of workers in the state should participate in the nationwide strike to be held on May 20. The meeting concluded with the national anthem. Around 50 trade unions participated in this meeting.
The following organizations participated in the conference:
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Centre of Trade Unions (CITU), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), TUCC, AIUTUO, AITUO, H. M. S., SEVA, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC, State Government Employees Central Organization Maharashtra, Confederations of Government Employees and Workers Vidarbha Region, M.R. Zilla Parishad Employees Federation, M.R. Castreeb Employees Welfare Federation, Vidarbha Secondary Teachers Union, M.R. Primary Teachers Committee, Government Semi-Government Teachers Non-Teaching Employees Coordination Committee Nagpur, M.R. Anganwadi Balwadi Employees Union, Maharashtra State Electricity Workers Federation, M.R. Health Department Group Promoter Association, United Mine Workers Union, Eastern Maharashtra Bank Employees Association, All India General Insurance Employees Association, M.R. School Nutrition Employees Union, ICDS Supervisors Association, M.R. Jeevanonnati Karmakar Union, General Industries Karmakar Union, Air Lines Karmakar Union, Nagpur District Farm Mazur Union, Lal Bavta Transport Karmakar Union, Nagpur General Labour Union, Nagpur Divisional Insurance Employees Union, Anganwadi Karmakar Sangha, School Nutrition Food Association, Lal Zhenda Coal Mines Mazdoor Union, Bank Employees Federation of India, BSNL Employees Union, Central Cotton Research Karmakar Union, ASHA and Group Promoters Union, Nagpur Central and State Government Pensioners Association, National Mill Mazdoor Sangh, Nagpur District INTUC, National Nagpur Corporation Employees Association, Raksha Karmakar Union (INTUC) Ambazari, Retired Employees (EPS-1995) Pensioners Coordination Committee., National Coal Mine Mazdoor Sangh, M.R. Kritishil Retired Officers Employees Association Nagpur, CRMS Nagpur Division, Nagpur, Visjukta.
