To commemorate International Workers’ Day, hundreds of people marched Thursday from Town Hall to Freedom Park, calling on the government to repeal “anti-labor” legislation.
Workers from a variety of industries, including the apparel industry, came together to protest these restrictions at the event, which was organised by the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) and started at Town Hall before ending at Freedom Park.
Large corporations and international corporations are allegedly abusing hard-working workers and breaking the labour rules, according to protesters.
Members of different trade unions came together to demand an 8-hour work shift for everyone and to abolish contract employment, enforce labour rules, and provide equitable minimum salaries. They also called for an end to 10- to 12-hour workdays. The number of women who attended the rally was substantial. Women who headed several of the groups emphasised how workplace exploitation of women and children has become a persistent problem. In order to solve wage disparities and other gender-specific issues at work, they called for inclusive legislation.
The AICCTU claims that in recent years, both the federal government and state governments have preferred corporate interests over those of workers. The union demanded that anti-labor legislation be repealed, the contract labour system be abolished, and the minimum salary be raised to Rs. 42,000 (US $ 500), and steps be taken to reduce the escalating prices of necessities.
