Thousands of unorganized sector workers and trade unions under the banner "Joint Action Committee of Unorganized Workers Union" held a rally from Munroe Statue to Secretariat. They were protesting against the Tamil Nadu Government Order handing over the functions of 14 Labour Welfare Boards to Revenue Department and for Comprehensive Protection and Livelihood rights for Unorganised Sector Workers. The rally was addressed by leaders of political parties and trade unions, according to a press release of the Joint Action Committee.

The JAC has been demanding comprehensive legal protection through Sectoral Welfare Boards for the unorganized sector workers from different sectors comprising construction, agriculture, fisheries, domestic work, tailoring, hand embroidery, stone quarry, brick kilns, street vending, basket weaving, manual loading, weaving, rice mill work, forestry, beedi, sanitary work, handicraft, auto rickshaw, salt pans, washers, pottery, barbers, cooks, artists and artisans, gem cutting, jewellery making, rag picking, recycling et all in Tamil Nadu. It has opposed the transfer of Labour Welfare Functions to Revenue Department and demand the protection of union rights for workers. The press release pointed out that livelihood and rights of workers are under increased attacks as a result of slum evictions, platform and street vendors evictions, Special Economic Zones and Coastal Zone Management Schemes, and rise in essential commodity prices and construction raw materials price.

After a struggle of 13 years, the Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board was formed in 1995. The unorganized workers in various sectors had raised their voice and a Manual Workers Welfare Board was formed in 2000 and after continuous struggles, sectoral labour welfare boards were formed in 2007 as demanded by the workers and labour unions. But the government has now issued the Order moving the functions of the welfare boards to Revenue Department.

The press release asserted that implementation of Labour Welfare Act through unions by Labour Department is the only way to ensure that the intended benefits reach the oppressed unorganized sector workers. Transferring these functions to an already burdened Revenue Department will ensure that workers will not get benefits.

Demanding the repeal of this Government Order, the press release also reiterates the long standing demands of the unorganised sector workers of Tamil Nadu.