Archive 2009
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September 16-30, 2008
Conference
on State and Rights of Labour Indian Social Institute, Lodi Institutional Area, Saturday, October 18, 2008 9 a.m – 6 p.m. People’s Voice is please to announce that a Conference on the theme “The State and Rights of Labour” is being organised by Lok Raj Sangathan. Leading activists in the labour movement, political activists, activists in the field of law and rights, are expected to participate in this conference. Governments both at the center and in the states are falling head over heels, competing with each other to fulfill the demands of Indian and foreign corporates. The mantra of “economic reforms” — liberalization, privatization and globalization — has been accepted as official policy by all these governments. The Supreme Courts and other courts are competing to pass judgements that curtail rights of labour. With the government and its corporate bosses blaring through the media that “what is good for the corporates is good for the country”, the interests of the working men and women are being brutally thrown by the wayside. Indian corporations are becoming global giants, while the working people are losing even the limited rights they have had so far. Millions of workers are forced to cut down family consumption, as their income is not keeping pace with the rising commodity prices. The minority of workers who are paid relatively high salaries find that they have no time to spend with their families because extended working hours have become common practice. The standard of living of the working people is not keeping pace with the wealth of India, which is growing rapidly. Workers have no voice, no real say, in deciding how the economy should be run or whose claims should get priority. The State is not providing protection for those who work. The rights of labour are being curtailed, both in the written laws and in practice. In the name of efficiency, productivity and global competitiveness, the policy of hire and fire is becoming the norm for employment. The working day is being increased to 12 hours and more. Women workers are being forced to work in night shifts. Central and state governments are competing to reform labour laws to fulfil the demands of big business houses. The right to form unions is under attack; and so is the right to strike. The government is trying to push through major reforms in the banking and financial sectors that will be disastrous for workers and other ordinary people. It is privatizing pension and provident funds to transfer huge amounts of people’s savings to private hands for speculation and profit. The space for private profit maximization is being expanded in several vital sectors including health care, education, municipal services, sanitation, electricity distribution, and transport. Crores of men, women and children working in the so called unorganised sector of the economy do not have rights even on paper. This is also the case with agricultural workers. In the urban centers, the homes of workers are being ruthlessly demolished, in the name of urban renewal. The arena for contract labour has been steadily expanded in recent years. The working day is being increased to 12 hours and more. Women workers are being forced to work in night shifts. State governments are competing with each other to reform labour laws, not only in SEZs, but in all sectors, to fulfil the demands of the Indian and foreign big corporate houses. Political power today vests in the big corporate houses, with various political parties unabashedly doing their bidding. On the other hand, we need a society in which the working masses have a say in all public policy decisions – a society where human rights of all are guaranteed and the State is duty bound to enforce them. The rights of labour are at the centre of human rights. The working class, as the most organized section of those who work, has a major role to play in creating such a society We wish the Conference all success in its efforts to initiate a discussion on this very important issue. To contact Lok Raj Sangathan |
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