Dear Comrades,
DECLARATION OF THE
NATIONAL CONVENTION OF WORKERS, HELD AT NEW DELHI, ON 04.09.2012
NATIONAL CONVENTION OF
WORKERS 4TH SEPTEMBER, 2012
DECLARATION
This National Convention of
Workers held on 4th September, 2012 at Talkatora Stadium. New Delhi,
participated by workers representatives from all over India from all sectors,
expresses its deep concern and anguish at the total non-response of the Govt. to
address the burning Issues of the working people viz containing price-rise,
universalisation of social security rights for unorganized sector workers,
ensuring proper minimum wages, mass scale contractorisation, rampant violation
of labour laws and onslaught on trade union rights etc., despite consistent
persuasion by all in united platform of the entire trade union movement in the
country through various forms of countrywide programmes and agitations in a
democratic manner since last three years. Such non-response of Govt. to the
all-in-united activities and persuasion by trade unions is nothing but an
affront on the democratic rights and aspirations of the working people of the
country, which the trade union movement cannot accept lying down.
While condemning the government
for Its inaction and total indifference towards the miserable plights of the
working people who keep the wheel of the economy moving, this National
Convention strongly opposes the move of the Govt. to curtail budgeted
allocations for pro-people employment and welfare schemes like NREGA and ICDS
meant for rural populace and women and child care respectively. The Govt. is
hell bent upon carrying the financial reforms by amending the bank and
insurance laws to allow entry of MNCs and Corporates in these vital sectors and
also pushing through the privatization process in phases through disinvestment
of shares in blue chip PSUs In the core and strategic sectors of the economy.
The Govt. is gifting natural and mineral resources of the country to corporates
and MNCs paving the way for their loot.
Labour law violations are on
increase, corporates have been given tree hand to suppress democratic trade
union rights including the basic right of forming a trade union and increase in
deployment of contract labour on jobs of regular nature. Many millions of
workers employed to run several central govt. schemes, like ICDS, ASHA,
mid-day-meal, sarva-silksha etc are being denied even the statutory minimum
wages and associated rights. The state administration has become subservient to
MNCs, and Corporates. The recent unfortunate incident in Maruti Suzuki Plant in
Manesar and its aftermath including arrest of 150 workers and dismissal of over
500 workers is a glaring instance of corporate govt. nexus.
It appears the govt. is bent upon
continuing the same anti people economic policy even seeking to enact
legislations that run contrary to the interest of working people and their
social security rights besides generating a severe recessionary impact on the
national economy. The growth of economy is as low as 5.2 and index of
industrial production declining to less than 1 percent with unemployment
situation aggravating severely.
The Convention expresses its deep
concern at the refusal of the Central Govt. to respond to the just demands of
the united platform of trade unions on which the country had witnessed, as
never before, a massive general strike on 28th February 2012.
This Convention while taking note
of the precarious economic situation of the country, steep rise in the price of
essential goods and commodities and all out attack on trade union aid social
security rights and rampant labour law violations decides to further intensify
the joint struggles, that were being carried out lot last three years on the
following demands.
While reiterating the live point
demands formulated jointly by the Central Trade Unions and Federations for 1)
concrete measures to contain price rise, 2) concrete measures for employment
generation, 3) strict enforcement of labour laws, 4) universal social security
cover for organized and unorganized workers and creation of National Social
Security Fund and 5) stoppage of disinvestment in Central and State PSUs/
Undertakings, the National Convention demands immediate action by the Govt. of India
to ensure :-
No Contractorisation of work of
permanent/perennial nature and payment of wages and benefits to the contract
workers at the same rate as available to the regular workers of the
industry/establishment
Amendment of Minimum Wages Act to
ensure universal coverage irrespective of the schedules and fixation of
statutory minimum wage at not less than Rs.10,000/- linked with cost price
Index.
Remove all ceilings on payment and
eligibility of Bonus, Provident Fund; Increase the quantum of gratuity.
Assured Pension for all
Compulsory registration of trade
unions within a period of 45 days and immediate ratification of the ILO
Conventions Nos. 87 and 98.
The National Convention adopts the
following action programme to press for once again the above burning issues
facing the working people:
Programme:
Stated / district / sector level
Joint Conventions during September, October and November 2012
Satyagraha /Jail Bharo / Court
Arrest on 18th / I9th December2012 in all the states through out the country
March to Parliament on 20th
December2012 (mobilization by the unions from the states adjoining Delhi)
Countrywide Two Days General
Strike on 20th and 21st February 2013.
The National Convention appeals to
the working people of the country and their unions/federations irrespective of
affiliations to respond in a massive way the call for countrywide united
struggle and participate enmasse in the action programmes formulated by this
all-in united platform of workers and employees to press for these vital
demands embracing all sections of the toiling class.
BMS
INTUC
AITUC
HMS
CITU
AIUTUC
TUCC
AICCTU
UTUC
LPFSEWA
And Independent Federations
of Workers and Employees
