AITUC demands universal PDS, social security for workers

SHILLONG: The general secretary of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Vijaya Lakshmi, has accused the Central Government of adopting anti-worker policies while laying the red carpet for foreign corporate and firms.
Speaking to media persons here on Friday during the nationwide strike programme, Lakshmi said that last year they had submitted a 12-point charter of demands but the Centre did not pay any heed to the demands.
The AITUC’s demands include urgent measures to contain price rise through universalisation of the Public Distribution System and banning speculative trade in commodities market. The AITUC is also demanding universal social security cover for all workers, besides minimum wage of not less than Rs 18,000 per month with provision of indexation for unskilled workers.
Stating that the workers are suffering tremendously due to price rise, Lakshmi said though the Government has passed the Food Security Bill, people are not feeling secured.
Lakshmi further said the Government had promised 2 crore jobs every year but so far they have created only 16 lakh jobs and that too through outsourcing and contractual postings.
Lamenting that too much of foreign investment is detrimental to the country, she rued that India is again going back to the British Rule.
Earlier, different trade unions took to the streets and organized a rally in the city.