Central trade unions held nationwide protests on Friday against the dilution of labour laws, privatisation of public sector enterprises and corporatisation of agriculture.
The TUs sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a list of demands such as immediate relief to stranded migrant workers, food for all, universal coverage under ration distribution, wages to all during the lockdown period, cash transfer of ₹7,500/- to all non-income tax paying households and withdrawal of the freezing of DA for government and PSU employees.
They urged the Centre to stop diluting labour laws and demanded strengthening of the Inter State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Services) Act 1979 to ensure compulsory registration of migrant workers, providing adequate protective provisions on wages, social security, accommodation and welfare needs with a strong and accountable enforcement mechanism. The protesters also urged the Centre to stop“wholesale privatisation” PSUs and government departments.
TUs said thousands participated in the protests. Key leaders such as Tapan Sen, Harbhajan Singh Sandhu and K Hemalata were arrested by the Delhi Police from Rajpath. They were later released.