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Internet Edition: April 16-30, 2006
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| TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOICE OF PARTY |
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Online Archives
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Call to prepare for May Day 2006: Build the revolutionary alternative of the workers and peasants! Smash the lie that there is no alternative to capitalism except to add a ‘human face’! As we approach the 1 st of May this year, election campaigns or some phases of voting are going on in four states and one union territory. Not only the BJP and the Congress Party, but also others who have been in power at the centre or in the states, have exposed themselves as parties that are committed to implement, in one way or another, the same package of capitalist reforms for the benefit of the big capitalist corporations, Indian and multinational. The ‘Left Front’ of parliamentary parties led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is a major contender for power in two of the four states where elections are being held. However, this ‘left front’ is not putting forth a revolutionary alternative to the anti-social program of the bourgeoisie. On the contrary, the CPI (M) led front is advancing the line that there is no alternative except to give capitalism a ‘human face’. This package, which was earlier referred to as “second generation reforms” and is now being called “reforms with a human face”, is not acceptable to the workers, peasants and other working people, who constitute the vast majority of the population. As a result, the rule of the bourgeoisie is facing increasing instability. None of the major parties in contention in these elections enjoys any real credibility among the broad masses of working people. Times are calling on the working class to vigorously and uncompromisingly oppose and defeat the bourgeoisie’s anti social, anti-national and anti-people program of globalisation through liberalisation and privatisation. The time is ripe for the communists to lead the working class to carry forward the work to build the revolutionary alternative of the workers and peasants, to open the path to socialism and communism . The true face of the capitalist reform program has revealed itself to be ugly and inhuman, which more and more people are able to see clearly today. It is a program to attack the basic rights of workers in Special Economic Zones and IT parks, in the name of flexibility for capitalists. It is a program aimed at fulfilling the imperialist ambitions of the big bourgeoisie, at the expense of security and prosperity for the rest of society. It is a program that endangers peace in Asia, as the Indian bourgeoisie enters into strategic alliance with US imperialism to pursue its own imperialist aims. Not only the working class but also the urban petty bourgeoisie and even medium-sized shopkeepers can see that behind the call for “urban renewal” lies the rapacious greed of capitalist monopoly corporations, Indian and international. The monopoly capitalists want to seize prime land, gain domination of retail trade, develop shopping malls and expensive multi-storied apartments and office buildings, wiping out lakhs of small family businesses. They want to destroy old residential buildings and workers’ quarters to pave the way for new, more profitable real estate ventures. Behind the call for “Bharat Nirman” lies the greed of giant agro-business corporations, Indian and international, who want to grab hold of the surplus produce of the peasantry, and are eyeing the most fertile tracts of agricultural land and the rich mineral belt of eastern India, with maximum plunder in mind. It is a strategy that spells doom, unemployment and indebtedness for millions of tribal peoples and forest communities, poor and middle peasants, and even threatens more prosperous peasants. The “human face” is supposed to consist of a refurbished rural employment program, promising 100 days of work to one member of every rural family, once it is fully implemented. To drive crores of people into indebtedness and unemployment, and then say that the Government will guarantee work for one-third of the year only, and for one member of the family only, so that such families can at least lead a sub-human existence at a semi starvation level, that too in five years from now – this is the real content of the “human face” of the capitalist reform program. Capitalism is an inhuman system, based on the exploitation of labour by the minority class that owns the means of social production. At its present stage of monopoly capitalism and imperialism, the trend is towards ever intensifying exploitation of the toilers and tillers, for the benefit of the giant corporations and financial institutions. Opposition and resistance to the capitalist reform program is widening in scope, as more and more sections of the working people and the middle strata are being drawn into the struggle against the attacks on their livelihood and rights. At the same time, the rulers are managing to push ahead with the anti-popular course. What is the reason for this state of affairs? The main reason is the support being extended by the CPI (M) led ‘left front’ to the bourgeois program and to the Congress led coalition in power. The leaders of CPI (M) are advocating a “better way” to implement privatisation, which means that they are not opposing privatisation on principle. A recent example of this “better way” is the privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports, which is going forward after the CPI(M) struck a deal with the airport employees unions to withdraw their strike, on the basis of a promise that existing jobs will be protected. They are calling for the expansion of special zones and exemptions from labour laws for capitalists in the IT sector in West Bengal, thereby compromising on the basic rights of the working class. The experience of the 20 th century shows that there is indeed an alternative to private capitalist ownership of the means of social production, which is social ownership. The alternative to the capitalist system is the socialist system. The overthrow of capitalism and building of socialism in Russia opened the path to development for the benefit of the toiling people, without exploitation, without crises, unemployment or inflation. It is the restoration of capitalist relations starting in the 1950s that led to the degeneration of society and the eventual disintegration of the Soviet Union. Today, wherever masses of people have united in struggle against the capitalist-imperialist course, and against the fascist measures and imperialist wars, there is new hope that the path to social progress will be opened up again. Times are calling on the Indian working class to step forward as a serious contender for political power in the country. It is the duty of communists to lead the efforts to rally all the discontented masses around the revolutionary working class alternative to the anti-social program of the bourgeoisie. The duty of communists is to expose the real inhuman and monstrous face of capitalism at this last stage of imperialism, not to hide this face with a ‘human’ mask, as the CPI(M) is attempting to do. A monster is a monster, no matter what mask it wears. We must fight uncompromisingly for nothing less than an immediate halt to privatisation and liberalisation, for the renewal of democracy and reorientation of the economy to fulfill the rising material and cultural needs of the toilers and tillers. We must fight for wide-ranging democratic transformations, to replace the talk shop Parliament and system of Cabinet rule by a system and political process that would ensure that workers and peasants are decision makers, not mere vote banks. We must fight for the first steps in the transition from capitalism to socialism, which a workers’ and peasants’ government can and will take. To achieve all this, we must defeat the influence of those in the communist movement who are conciliating with the bourgeoisie. Comrades! The 20 th century posed the question of the proletarian revolution and the building of socialism, as a practical task to be taken up for solution. The 21 st century is once again posing this question afresh. Workers, women and youth are out on the streets in France, in the United States and in increasing number of capitalist countries, fighting against the capitalist offensive on their rights and wellbeing. Nation after nation is standing up to defend its sovereign right to reject the capitalist paradigm of development and build a social system of her people’s choice. More and more people all over the world are looking for the real alternative to the capitalist-imperialist system. What should the Indian working class do in this situation? The path to socialism will not be opened up by tailing behind one or another bourgeois coalition and by relying on parliamentary vote bank politics, as the left front led by the CPI (M) is doing. Nor will the day of revolution be brought any closer by engaging in individual acts of terror, as some others in the movement are advocating. The first and most essential condition for opening the path to socialism is for the working class to fight unwaveringly for the revolutionary alternative to the bourgeoisie’s program of capitalist reform with a ‘human face’, and to build a popular political front around this alternative – a front that includes the vast majority of peasants, women and youth, led by the working class and directed against the bourgeoisie. Let us prepare for May Day 2006 by agitating for unity around the following principles and slogans:
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Condemn the repression unleashed on protesters in Nepal!
The people of Nepal are seething with discontent over their increasingly miserable conditions of life. Ever since the monarch Gyanendra took over the reins of the government in Nepal in his own hands in February 2005, he has used his powers to try and crush all opposition using the army, which has received training, arms and equipment from the US, Britain, India and other powers. Far from being able to stem the tide of revolt, his brutal measures have only fanned the people's anger. Increasingly, the masses of people and various political forces in Nepal are coming together around the demands that the rule of the monarch must end, and that the people must decide for themselves on the form of government that they want. The four-day general strike, which has brought tens of thousands of protesters in all parts of the country out onto the streets, is a powerful manifestation of this sentiment. The situation in Nepal is increasingly reaching a point wherein the monarchy will be demolished by the united might of thee people. The Gyanendra regime in Nepal is completely isolated. The fighting people of Nepal have declared that they will try the officers and administrators responsible for brutalities against the people as war criminals, once the illegitimate and fascist regime is overthrown. The struggle for the abolition of the autocracy in Nepal has the full, unstinted support of the working class and people of India. |
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Special Economic Zones – regions designed for unbridled exploitation of workers Over the past year, state governments have been vying with each other to establish Special Economic Zones (SEZ's) in their state to attract Indian and foreign capital. This feverish rush to establish SEZ's follows the passing of the Special Economic Zone Act by parliament in June 2005. The passing of this new Central Act has made it extremely easy for the Central and state governments as well as various monopoly houses to set up SEZ's. The SEZ Act marked the further development of the course of establishing Special Economic Zones (SEZ's) in selected areas of the country which was begun in 2000. SEZ's are supposed “to provide an internationally competitive and hassle-free environment for export production”. In the name of being ‘internationally competitive’ and ‘hassle – free’, all rights of labour are denied in these zones and conditions created for the unbridled exploitation of workers in order to ensure super – profits for the big capitalists, Indian and foreign. This is a route being followed more and more by the big capitalists of India and is designed to deprive increasing numbers of workers even the modicum of protection under labour laws, environment and safety regulations now available to them. The inspiration for the SEZ policy has been drawn from China’s SEZs which have attracted immense amounts of foreign capital, given big boost to the exports from China, and are also notorious for atrocious working conditions and pitiful wages for workmen. A board has been formed to act as a single-window agency for clearing proposals for establishing new SEZ's. The board has already approved 140 proposals within a month of its formation, which includes three proposals from monopolies such as the Mukesh Ambani controlled Reliance group, three proposals from the Satyam group for IT SEZs, one from Bajaj group for auto parts SEZ, two from Adani group in Gujarat. Many state governments have joined the rush to set up SEZs in their state through their industrial development corporations. State governments are bending backward to relax enforcement of labour laws in SEZ's to attract entrepreneurs to set up SEZ's in their state. Thus, both Maharashtra and Karnataka state governments have announced that state labour commissioner shall have no jurisdiction over factories in SEZ's. Labour commissioners’ powers shall get delegated to the person designated as Development Commissioner of the SEZ. Inspection of any unit in SEZ by any authority shall need prior permission of the Development Commissioner. All industrial units and other establishments in SEZ shall be declared as ‘Public Utility Service’, in which any strike shall be illegal. The Contract Labour (Regulations & Abolition) Act is also proposed to be amended to include certain peripheral service activities. The Gujarat government is also promising relaxation in labour laws similar to Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is only natural that all the rest of the state governments also follow suit, sooner rather than later. As every worker knows, it is extremely difficult to ensure that capitalists even comply with existing regulations which are expected to ensure a small amount of safety and humane working conditions in normal production units. With all the compliance forcing agencies around, the actual compliance with the factories’, safety, environment and labour laws is very poor. In the SEZ's, these regulations are not being allowed to exist even on paper! Thus workers will not even have recourse to legal remedies. Trade union activity is also banned for the most part, with armed guards ensuring that no union activist even so much as enters an SEZ. So workers are completely at the mercy of the factory owners in the SEZ's, and they either have to accept the inhuman and fascist conditions prevailing therein or lose their livelihood. The working conditions in the units set up in the SEZ's are appalling, as expected and there is often no restriction even in the length of the working day. Units in the SEZ's also get exemption from a host of taxes and duties like customs duty, excise duty, service tax, VAT, dividend tax, etc. With all the concessions being given to units in the SEZ's, not only in terms of relaxation of labour laws, but also in terms of tax benefits, it is only natural that production costs in the units located in SEZs will be far lower than that in similar units outside SEZ's. In due course of time, goods produced and services offered from units located outside the SEZ's would definitely be less profitable and even may not be able to compete with those operating from within the SEZ's. This would lead to units located outside the SEZ's being shut down, and more units being opened within SEZ's in course of time, thus forcing increasing numbers of workers to lose even the modicum of protection under labour laws and safety regulations now available to them. By encouraging the establishment of such SEZs, the central and state governments have shown the extent to which they are prepared to go to ensure super profits for the big capitalists, Indian and foreign. The working class must unitedly oppose these moves of the government and fight for their rights everywhere. Some interesting facts about SEZs
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Government firms allowed to retrench at will Supreme Court asserts that government has no obligations towards its workers Once again, the Supreme Court has come to the rescue of the big bourgeoisie in pushing through a measure which is decidedly unpopular and which the political parties would perhaps like to distance themselves from. In its judgment delivered at the end of March 2006, the court reiterated the “right” of the government to abolish posts, either for “streamlining” administration or want of funds. It also made this right “unimpeachable” by ordering lower courts not to direct the government to re-employ these discharged workers in other government undertakings or departments. It was dealing with a case involving employees retrenched from a Rajasthan state–owned enterprise, Avas Vikas Sansthan, which was allegedly making losses because of which several employees were retrenched. The state government had framed a “compassionate” scheme for re-employing some of those retrenched in a staggered manner, entirely at its own choosing. While allowing this, the Supreme Court said the employees could not claim pay protection, i.e. assert their right to get at least the last basic pay and allowances which they were receiving at the time of discharge. They could also not make their past pay count towards computation of their pension and gratuity benefits. There are millions of workers and working people working in different state owned or quasi state owned enterprises in the country, owned by the central government or the state governments. These include workers and working people in the railways, docks, air and road transport sector, communications, energy sector, public sector enterprises, health and educational institutions, agriculture related institutions, water supply, sanitation, housing and so on. Over the years, these workers have fought for security of service as a right and achieved some degree of protection from retrenchments and layoffs. When a certain enterprise had to be shut down, workers in such an enterprise would get absorbed in a different enterprise run by the government. Spouses or children of workers who die while in service in enterprises owned by the state have traditionally been offered employment so as to keep the families of the deceased employees financially secure. However, this is not in keeping with the present vision of the big bourgeoisie, which wants to “take its rightful place” as the leader of an emerging imperialist power. The big bourgeoisie wants the state to exit from various sectors of the economy by shutting down enterprises, and selling their assets to private capitalists. It wants the government to hire and fire workers at will in the enterprises it owns, just as private capitalists wish to exercise this “right” in the units they control. Bourgeois newspapers have welcomed this anti–people ruling of the Supreme Court, saying that while the government was finding it ‘politically’ difficult to change ‘rigid’ labour laws, the Court was steadily moving towards relaxing these laws. Indeed, this ruling has shown once again that the courts are not expected to dispense justice, but are in fact yet another organ of class rule of the state of the big bourgeoisie. The working class must challenge the vision of the big bourgeoisie, in which the toilers have no rights and in which the state has no obligations towards the people. |
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No compromise on the hard won rights of labour! Various agencies of the government as well as representatives of big monopoly capitalists have been raising the demand for 'reform of labour laws' and greater 'flexibility’ for capitalist employers, as an allegedly necessary step towards enhancing economic growth in India. It is reported that the Central Government is thinking of various definite steps in this direction, after the ongoing elections in four states and one union territory are over. The Second National Commission on Labour has recommended that the present law requiring units employing up to 100 workers to seek prior government permission for retrenchment, layoff and closure, be changed and applied to units employing up to 300 workers. Recently, the Investment Commission set up by the Prime Minister under the chairmanship of Ratan Tata, has demanded "labour flexibility" by removing the need for state government approvals; as well as permission to employ contract labour in every sphere of industrial activity. Associations of the big capitalists such as the FICCI and CII have also raised such demands. In an attempt to justify scrapping of labour laws pertaining to job security of workers, the Economic Survey of the government refers to the "large number of establishments in the unorganised sector" that remain outside the ambit of labour laws, as if that is a justification for scrapping all laws pertaining to job security for any section of the working class. The clamour for 'reforms in labour laws' and greater 'flexibility' is nothing but the age old demand of the capitalist class to have unlimited rights to intensify the degree of exploitation of labour. It is a demand that serves the interests of only a handful of exploiters, to reap super-profits, while it spells long working hours, utter lack of job security, hazardous working conditions, depression of wages and super-exploitation for the working people who constitute the vast majority in society. The most glaring example of what the big bourgeoisie has in store, when it talks of 'flexible' terms and conditions for labour, is what we find today in the Export Processing Zones and Special Economic Zones. Such zones have been set up in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and expected to be expanded into many more states. In these so-called special zones, tens of thousands of workers are employed in modern export oriented production with no legal protection of their rights. Armed security guards are trained to prevent any trade union organizers from entering these special zones. The length of the working day can be stretched; the number of days workers can be compelled to work without a holiday is very high; and restrictions on employing women and girls in dangerous situations and in night shifts do not apply. In short, all the rights that the working class has won through centuries of struggle are sought to be snatched away in the name of ‘flexibility’. The spokespersons of the big bourgeoisie, within and outside the government, are arguing that flexibility is essential for realising India's economic potential and enhancing employment opportunities. They claim that the removal of existing legal protection for workers in registered industrial units would help India emerge as a major global economic power and eventually create many more employment opportunities. This is a very old and worn out tune of the capitalist class, which is being sung by the monopoly capitalists of today. The essence of this argument is that the greed of the monopoly capitalists must be fulfilled at all cost, for only then will they invest their capital in productive activities, and only then will more jobs get created. Therefore, it is argued, it is allegedly in the best interests of the working class to submit to super-exploitation without any legal protection of their rights. The message being conveyed to the working class is that there is no alternative to capitalism. If they want any kind of employment at all, they have to accept these conditions. In this context, it is important for all workers to take note of the fact that the Chief Minister of West Bengal, who is a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), has publicly stated that capitalists in IT parks and other such ‘sunrise’ sectors must be freed from having to face strikes and to abide by the law of the land on the rights of labour. It is condemnable that a leading representative of a ‘Marxist’ party is refusing to defend the basic rights of labour, but is instead repeating the bourgeois lie that super-exploitation is necessary for industrial growth. In actual fact, the greed of the monopoly capitalists and their domination over the economy and society is the biggest block to social progress and uninterrupted economic development. It is the fundamental reason for the extremely uneven development and widespread anarchy in the economy, with repeated crises and massive unemployment. The fundamental aim and program of the working class movement is to remove the block to social progress – that is, the dominant role of monopoly capitalists in the economy, as the first step in the transition from capitalism to socialism. The driving force of the economy will then no longer be the greed of a tiny minority in society. It will be the satisfaction of the needs of the majority of toilers and tillers, and protection of their rights, without exception. The 20 th century showed the superiority of the socialist system in terms of achieving uninterrupted and balanced economic growth, without recurring crises of over-production, as is the norm under capitalism. In a socialist society, those who work are the masters of the means of social production. Their state power will ensure human standards and conditions of life and work for all the working people. The aim of production will be the enhancement of the living and working conditions of all the working people, not the soaring profits of a handful of parasites at the expense of the majority. As the living standard of the entire population rises steadily, year after year, so does the need for increased production of consumer articles and means of production. Every person of working age will be employed productively for the benefit of society. The benefits of technological progress will be shared by all, by shortening the working day and extending the time for leisure and cultural activities, instead of one section being super-exploited and another section unemployed. Communists must lead the way in defending the hard won rights of the working class. While we defend the rights of those sections that currently enjoy them, we fight at the same time for the extension of such rights to all workers, without exception. And while waging the defensive battle against the attacks on labour rights, we must prepare for our offensive to overthrow capitalism and build socialism through revolution, as the only way to truly and permanently guarantee the rights of all those who toil. |
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No compromise with the privatisation and liberalisation program! When the BJP led coalition was in power, the united struggle of the working class against the privatisation and liberalisation program made some definite advances, including blocking the path to privatisation in some particular cases such as in the petroleum sector. In the midst of a rising wave of discontent among the workers and peasants, the bourgeoisie installed the Congress led UPA in place of the BJP led NDA in 2004. Since that time, the struggle of the working class, instead of advancing further, is being weakened by class compromise. The recent case of Delhi and Mumbai airport privatisation shows how the working class is being made to compromise its position. Airport workers in the country went on strike against the proposed privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports. But the leaders of their unions did not stick to the position of uncompromising opposition to privatisation. They compromised with the privatisation program, by reducing the struggle to only the question of job security of the airport employees. As a result, the strike was called off on the basis of promises to protect the existing jobs for some time, while the handing over of the Delhi and Mumbai airports to private capitalist corporations, Indian and multinational, is moving forward. There are important lessons that need to be drawn from this experience. The most important lesson is that there must be no compromise on questions of principle. Once one compromise on principles, such as by accepting that privatisation is alright if the jobs of the workers involved are protected, then the battle is lost. Even this limited aim of job protection is not likely to be fulfilled. The capitalists always find it cheap and easy to promise protection to the workers, and later on find the appropriate time to kick out whoever they please. One of the serious problems facing the working class at this time is that the leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) are not consistent or thorough in their opposition to privatisation. They are not opposed to privatisation as a matter of principle. They are only opposed to the manner in which it is implemented. They call for ‘selective privatisation’ in place of ‘indiscriminate privatisation’. They say privatisation is alright in loss making enterprises, or in “non strategic” sectors. Now they have further compromised themselves by saying privatisation even in profitable undertakings such as Delhi and Mumbai airports is acceptable, provided only that there is no retrenchment. The question of privatisation is not only about the jobs of a few hundred or thousands of workers. It is about the economy of India as a whole and the livelihood of all the toiling people. Most of these public assets were created with funds, land, labour belonging to the people of India as a whole. At the time when they were created using public funds and property, it was said that this was in the interests of society at large. How did the government get the right to hand over these assets to anyone else, more so some characters whose only motive, unarguably, is private gain? Can the government take over something belonging to someone and then develop it and hand it over to someone else just because it happens to be the government of the day? In other words, opposing the government on this question is also a question of principle, in addition to the fact that it is not in the interests of the people. Transferring productive assets from the state into public hands is a backward step for society as a whole. It benefits only a tiny minority of private profiteers. Hence the working class must fight not only in defence of security of livelihood for those workers whose jobs are threatened in a particular case, but also in defence of the rights of all and of the general interests of society. Private ownership of the means of production is the reason why the economy produces wealth for a few and poverty for the majority. Therefore, handing over public assets into the hands of private capitalists cannot be a solution to the economic problems. For communists to argue that privatisation is alright if the workers’ jobs are protected means to betray the interests of the working class and toiling peasants, and compromise with the program of the bourgeoisie. |
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French youth and workers win partial victory As already reported, a fascist “First Job Contract” (CPE) law had been passed in France that permitted employers to dismiss young workers within the first two years of their job without giving any reason. Weeks of protest by millions of youth, students and workers forced the government to first announce a stay on its implementation which was originally slated for April 1, 2006, and then, announce its complete scrapping, on April 11, 2006. However, as we go to the press, youth and students in many towns have been keeping up their protests even after this, as the French parliament is shortly to consider a replacement for the CPE which is supposedly aimed at helping the most disadvantaged youths in finding jobs. The government had claimed that only the enactment of such a measure which allows employers to dismiss workers without having to give any reason whatsoever or warning was the only way to bring down unemployment. Millions of people all over France stoutly opposed this contention, refusing to be cowed down by the French Presidents assertion that “once a law was passed, it just had to be implemented”. Even after the scrapping of the fascist law was announced, protests continued and on Wednesday 12th April 2006, at least half the universities in France were shut down. A student leader clearly reflected the mood when she said that they ought not to lower their guard but instead be extremely vigilant as to the content of the new law which will be proposed by the government to replace the fascist CPE. The struggle of the youth and workers of France has thus been successful in preventing the government from implementing the CPE, which was its primary aim. Bourgeois governments throughout the world are implementing measures aimed at taking away the security and rights won by the working people through decades and centuries of struggle. While it is definitely necessary and possible to successfully oppose these as has been done in France, it is also necessary to be vigilant against those who claim that all that is needed is to ‘humanize’ the ways of capitalism. It is necessary to force the capitalists and governments to ensure that the rights of all toiling people are respected, and prepare the conditions for the overthrow of the system of capitalism itself. |
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Massive rallies against criminalisation of immigrants continue As reported in the last issue, the House of Representatives of the USA recently passed bill HR 4437 the latest in a long list of laws in the US which stands out because of the sweeping provisions it contains against immigrants. People across the US have been coming out in the streets to voice their opposition to this measure as well as other anti–people measures. The bill, HR 4437, makes it a felony (criminal act) for immigrants to be in the US illegally whereas previously, it was considered as a civil infraction. Moreover the bill provides for severe penalties for anyone who employs such people or even charitable organisations and others who help them in any manner. It also allows for the erecting of fences along a third of the US–Mexican border. The US, like many other capitalist countries, depends heavily on immigrants to provide cheap labour. In Dallas, Texas, hundreds of thousands of people banged drums, waved flags and marched in a protest on Sunday, April 9, 2006. Militantly opposing the planned criminalisation of immigrants, they demanded that federal lawmakers pass immigration reform laws that would legalize undocumented immigrants, whose number has been estimated at a huge 11 million. Rallies were held in several other towns and cities in New Mexico, Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Alabama, Utah, Oregon, Idaho and California. More such actions are being planned for the weeks ahead, as we go to the press. Racist and other attacks on immigrants have historically been carried out in order to force them to accept even worse conditions of work, and to divide and attack the working class as a whole. People are forced to migrate from many countries, leaving their loved ones behind and facing severe uncertainty and hardships precisely because of the conditions imposed in their home countries under imperialism, when even the basic human right, the right to livelihood, cannot be guaranteed. The struggle of immigrants in countries such as the US and India for their rights and dignity is part of the struggle of the working class for emancipation, and is therefore wholly supported by it. |
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People’s struggles are advancing
Adivasis and activists of the Narmada valley have been demonstrating against the decision of the Narmada Control Authority, which gave clearance in March 2006 for the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam to be raised from 110.64m up to 121.92m. By raising the height of the dam in this manner, the homes, fields and livelihood of people living in about 220 villages in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat will be destroyed. The governments were required by law to ensure that every single affected family was resettled at least 6 months before submergence, in resettlement sites provided with all amenities necessary for human habitation and with cultivable land and However, in practice, the state governments have not resettled at least 35,000 families who have been displaced due to the earlier submergences, and the ones now being displaced will only add to this long list of suffering people. To protest against this, adivasis, and farmers of the Narmada Valley together with many others supporting them have been sitting on a peaceful dharna in Delhi since the 17th of March, 2006. The activists have met all government officials concerned with the issue, from the Union Minister of Water Resources and Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment to the Prime Minister and President. They have repeatedly exposed the falsity of resettlement claims of the governments and the authorities. While some of them have made some sympathetic sounds, the government machinery, which acts with lightning speed when it comes to destroying the homes of workers living in slums, has in practice done nothing to fulfill its obligations. From 29h March, 2006, three representatives from the Narmada Valley, including Medha Patkar began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Instead of moving quickly to fulfill its promises and responsibilities, the government launched a vicious attack on the activists, arresting some of them on the charge of “attempting to commit suicide”. Undeterred by this, the activists have continued their struggle, and even more people have joined the hunger strike. This struggle has won the support of all democratic and justice loving forces. At a public hearing (jan sunwaii) held on April 2, 2006 many organisations came forward to voice their support. As we go to the press, many more actions in support of the struggle are being planned. This struggle once again highlights the criminal nature of the rule of the big bourgeoisie, in which tens of thousands of people can be displaced and pauperized at will. People's Voice supports the struggle of the people of the Narmada Valley for justice and strongly condemns the government for not fulfilling its commitment and duties and instead viciously attacking the activists of fighting for justice. Women’s Day Meetings In Kanpur On 8th March, 2006, on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, a unit of Mahila Shakti Sangathan organized a conference and public meeting at Vidyarthi Market, Govind Nagar, Kanpur. According to reports, on this occasion women, workers and representatives of the cultural organizations from neighbouring districts participated in the events. Representatives of these organizations pointed out that the decline of handicrafts and small industries have adversely affected women. The policies of the Government that favour the rights of big industrialists have attacked the rights of the working people. We have to unite to fight against these policies. Conference Of Kaam Ka Adhikar Abhiyaan Samiti (KAAS) A conference on KAAS was organized between 8th and 10th February, 2006 in Kerala. In this conference report on work done, and debates on future tactics, organizational matters, etc. were carried out by the representatives of various people’s organizations, who had come from different parts of the country. The conference was conducted by Mr. Mona Sur. KAAS is a movement, which is searching to resolve the unemployment problem. This to say that the labour laws will be rendered ineffective, and to enact the Rural Employment Act is a fraud. Unemployment and destruction of enterprises, and crushing of farmers and artisans is the other name for globalization.
The Rajasthan State Committee of the All India Trade Union Congress organized a massive demonstration on 9th March, 2006 in Jaipur against the inhuman labour policies of the Rajasthan Government. In this massive rally, workers from industrial zones of different districts - Jodhwada, Sitapur, Bagru, etc., Rajasthan roadways, electricity, hotel, orporations, along with workers from the Geological Survey of India, IMC, participated with great enthusiasm. Raising the slogans, "Stop the contract system"; "respect labour laws"; "stop privatization"; "increase minimum wages at once"; etc., workers in thousands unfurled red flags and took out a rally in all of Jaipur, at the end of which a big meeting was organized. Addressing the meeting, the leaders of the workers said that the workers must prepare for the upcoming struggles, as the State and Central Governments will only work for the interests of the industrialists and the capitalists, and against the workers of the country. We must strengthen the workers movement. Benaras Commemorates Martyr’s Day The sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev was commemorated in the city of Benaras at the Rajendra Prasad Ghat on 23rd March, 2006. This was organized jointly by several progressive organizations of Benaras. Here workers, farmers, students, intellectuals, artists and children participated in thousands. This fair took place from early afternoon until 9 at night. The entire fair was decorated with red flags. Schoolchildren sang songs of martyrdom. Two plays "Bhook banaam dharm" and "Amrika Bhagvan ki Jai" were enacted. Posters of the martyrs and progressive books were exhibited. Ghazals and poems were recited. The fair resonated with revolutionary slogans against imperialist power. To make this a success, motorcycle and cycle rallies were organized by all the organizations on 21st of March, in which school children participated with a lot of enthusiasm. At the initiative of the Lok Raj Sangathan, it was decided at the meeting that under the auspices of the Shahid Bhagat Singh Debating Club, the 150th Anniversary of the 1857 uprising would be celebrated. All year around, the message of the martys would be propogated across the city from house to house. Alongside, in November, a ten day MUKTIPARV would be organized, on the otherside of the Ganga, where 60 to 70 foot tall statues of the martyrs would be made, and a film festival, plays, revolutionary BIRHA would be organized. This fair was organized by cultural club, Bhagat Singh Youth Brigade, Human Rights Watchdog Committees, Art Commune, Revolutionary People’s Rights' Organization, Prerna Cultural Club, Anti-Dowry Platform, All India Forward Bloc, AISA, Lok Raj Sangathan, Vikalp, Janwadi Youth Committee, Progressive Writers' Club, IPTA, Parisar, Vijan, and others. |
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Across 9000 branches in the country and overseas, the two and a half lakh officers of the State Bank of India (SBI) went on strike on the 3rd of April, 2006, with their just 14 year old demand. The SBI’s Officers have always been at the forefront of the brave struggle. They have provided leadership in the struggle for the rights of bank employees all over the country. In this situation, on the 6th of April, 2006 the reporters of People's Voice interviewed the General Secretary of the State Bank of India Officers Assocation, Mr. V. K. Gupta at the Main Branch of SBI on Parliament Street in New Delhi. What are your demands in the current agitation? Our demand is for a pension after our retirement with which we can maintain ourselves. What do you now receive? At present, our pension is based on 40 percent of the income drawn in 1992, which means a maximum of Rs.4,250/- per month. In contrast, other bank employees are drawing 50 percent of total income. As an example, if someone retired 15 years ago as the Chairman of the SBI, his family monthly pension would entitle his wife to a monthly pension of only Rs. 420/-. What do you desire? We desire that the present salary be made the basis of pension. Have you presented the matter to the management? We have been raised this matter for the last 14 years. Management has had several discussions with the Union. Management has prepared a proposal based on the Union’s demands which has been placed before the Government. But the Government is not ready to accept it. What is the reason for this? The Government claims that the Treasury does not have the funds. What is your reply to this? What is your programme to meet your ends? There is no connection between our pension and the Government Treasury. We have been saying so continuously for the last 14 years. The workers have made contributions for their future, over which they have a right. We can be paid our pensions from there. The Government and Media have been campaigning against your agitation. What have you to say about this? See, the work and activities of the Government in this country are against the workers. There is nothing new about this. The Government wants to wipe out the banks and their employees in the public sector. Its efforts are directed at increasing the branches of national and international private banks in the country. The Government is not leaving any stone unturned. What if the Government does not agree with the proposal of the Management? The agitation will continue. The customers will suffer because of us. Today, this bank has overseas branches. The only reason for this is the employees of these branches are always at the service of their customers. This why in the last 20(0) years, this bank is reaching the heights of success. In the last 14 years, our demands have been ignored, which is why we have had to embark on this path. |
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Condemn the Callousness of the Government in the face of the Meerut Inferno On 10th April, 2006, in Meerut’s Victoria Park, many lost their lives in a consumer fair for imported and other goods set up by many companies. The company and Uttar Pradesh officials had made no arrangements to prevent accidents or facilities for escape as a result of which innocent persons lost their lives. People's Voice extends its condolences to the families of the victims of this fire. It condemns this action of the Government. During the fire, the the fire brigade’s retarded response can only be considered as callouness towards the people of Meerut. Had the response been quick, many lives would have been saved. Despite this, the people of Meerut facing the adversity with great courage saved the lives of their brothers and sisters. In the face of this great tragedy and even while they were looking for the missing family members or for clues in Victoria Park, the officials were cruelly engaged in wiping out the evidence so that they could suppress the death toll and draw the curtain on their incompetence and irresponsibility. |
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People's Voice (English Fortnightly) - Web Edition |
Interview with the leader of the State Bank Of India Officers Association