The Director-General of International Labour Organisation (ILO) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to uphold the International Labour laws in the time of coronavirus. The ‘clear message’ was sent to the PM after 10 Central Trade Unions sought help from the ILO to support the protection and rights of labourers in India. Alongside, they demanded that the International Labour Standards are to be maintained in the country accordingly.
In response to the request, the Chief of Freedom of Association Branch of ILO, Karen Curtis replied that he has asked the PM to ‘send a clear message’ to all the states and the central government to sustain the international labour laws in the nation. In the pandemic, restraining the labour rights and suspension of labour laws would bring injustice to the labourers.
The representatives of the Central Trade Unions were The Indian National Trade Union Congress, The All India Trade Union Congress, the Hind Mazdoor Sabha, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, the All India United Trade Union Centre, The Trade Union Coordination Committee, the All India Central Council of Trade Unions, The labour Progressive Federation and the United Trade Union Congress. All the mentioned parties are confirmed to be leftists
The parties congregated at Raj Ghat, Delhi to protest against the suspension of labour laws in many states of India, namely, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. The members of the leaders were detained as they violated the rules of section 144 whereby; the assemblage of more than 4 people was denied. The members were released at 4pm.
In several parts of India such as Telangana, Gujarat, Jharkhand, the members went for a hunger strike. In other corners of the India leaders came in a clash with the police. Kolkata showed no signs of protest due to the Cyclone ‘Amphan’ devastation. The employees working for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) participated in the protest as well. The Anti-Malaria Employees Union demanded face masks that would safeguard the workers to carry out the task in the pandemic.
The protests also demanded to stop the encroachment of Privatization in the country and the dilution labour laws in the pandemic. The Central Trade Union also asked to transfer Rs 7,500 for 3 months to the non-income tax paying households.