Chennai

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) State President Soundararajan on Thursday criticised the Union government’s labour policies while addressing a protest by trade unions in Guindy, Chennai, held as part of the nationwide general strike.

An all-India strike is being observed across the country with participation from workers in urban and rural areas, including agricultural labourers. Soundararajan said demonstrations and road blockades were taking place at thousands of locations nationwide.

Speaking to reporters, he said the strike was jointly organised by 10 central trade unions along with over 50 all-India federations representing agricultural workers and farmers. Trade union leaders have estimated participation of nearly 25 crore people.

He said the core demand of the strike was the rollback of the four labour codes, alleging that they merged and amended 25 existing labour laws in a manner favouring employers and weakening workers’ rights.

According to Soundararajan, the labour codes threaten key rights such as collective bargaining, forming and registering unions, and the right to strike. He also alleged that the laws do not adequately protect unorganised sector workers, including Anganwadi and ASHA workers, noon-meal staff and other scheme-based employees.

Referring to the farmers’ agitation, he claimed that assurances given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the protests were yet to be fulfilled, including implementation of the M.S. Swaminathan Commission recommendations and a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price.

He further alleged that the government has weakened the rural employment guarantee scheme, which he said was vital for alleviating poverty in rural areas.

Soundararajan criticised proposed amendments to the Seed Act, alleging they favour multinational corporations and genetically modified seeds while undermining farmers’ traditional rights. He also opposed the Electricity Amendment Bill, claiming it would promote privatisation and impact free power schemes.

The CITU leader also raised concerns over recent trade agreements with the US and the European Union, alleging that unrestricted imports could hurt Indian farmers and dairy producers.

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Stating that national sovereignty and self-reliance were under threat, he appealed to the public and political parties to support the nationwide strike and protest movements.