Nationwide Agitation By RSS-Backed Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh Against New Labour Laws Passed By UP, MP, Gujarat & Others

The RSS-backed organization has vocally criticized the "total withdrawal" of labour laws in three BJP-ruled states - Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

(Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)

New Delhi: A nationwide agitation has been called by the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) against the new labour laws passed by Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, and against the increase in worik hours by some states. A release issued by the body referred to the increase in working hours by Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Goa and Odisha and said working hours have been increased from 8 to 12 hours. The RSS-backed organization has vocally criticized the "total withdrawal" of labour laws in three BJP-ruled states - Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. "BMS decides nationwide agitation in solidarity with the fight against the anti-worker ordinances of UP, MP, Gujarat and also on other labour issues. BMS national office bearers' web-meeting held on May 13 strongly condemned the total withdrawal of labour laws in UP, MP and Gujarat," said an official release by BMS on Thursday. BMS will also hold conventions on May 30 and May 31 on demands related to workers. "It is learnt that many other states are readying to follow the trend. This is unheard in history and is rare even in most undemocratic countries," it said. The BMS said that it has planned "nationwide protest day" on May 20 in which demonstrations will be held at "taluka centre/district centre/ industrial estate" by maintaining social distance on "freezing labour laws and increase in working hours in various states, migrant workers issues, payment of wages, job losses". The BMS has also demanded job opportunities for unorganized sector and contract workers of organised sector. BMS stated that its state units have written to the chief ministers on the issue and said only Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met its delegation. "Migrant workers' issues have aggravated mainly because there is a gross violation of Migrant Labour Act by most of the states. Hence we are pushed to the wall and there is no other way out except going for agitation. BMS decided nationwide agitation in solidarity with the fight against the anti-worker ordinances in UP, MP, Gujarat as well as the increase of working hours in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Goa and Odisha," the release said. BMS has also decided to send letters to district authorities on local issues by district secretaries, local unions, state-level unions, federations on issues like payment of wages, job losses and relief measures to unregistered workers, migrant workers, self-employed workers and private transport workers.