The State unit of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) on Saturday criticised the anti-labour policies of the Congress and BJP, and resolved to support democratic forces that would safeguard the well being of the working class, in the Parliamentary elections.
The AITUC would work for the success of the democratic forces that assure food, housing, education for children, healthcare, and jobs for the working class, AITUC State president and former Member of Parliament K. Subbarayan told media persons here on Saturday.
The policies of the UPA regime to let private companies and Multi-National Corporations to utilise natural resources for a ‘pittance’ were detrimental to the welfare of the poor. The UPA Government had shown enthusiasm in giving concessions for the elitist section, and failed to protect the poor from the impact of price rise, Mr. Subbarayan said.
A resolution was adopted at the AITUC’s State General Council meeting expressing its solidarity with the strike call given by labourers employed by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation on February 25. The rate of Rs. 17.95 fixed for moving a tonne was insufficient, he said.
General secretary T.M. Moorthy and other senior functionaries took part in the meeting in which the speakers condemned the policy of the Central Government to privatise education and healthcare. They were critical of the contract employment system, and expressed concern over the diminishing number of permanent employees.
The Parliamentary elections was not a fight between individuals, but a test for political parties to prove whether they cared for the livelihood of 100 crore middle class and poor people or the welfare of a few lakh of upper class and elite population, the AITUC leaders said.
They called for immediate establishment of Welfare Boards, regularising services of employees in TASMAC outlets, wage hike for employees of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, and payment of minimum wages for beedi workers.
They resolved to prevent the Centre from privatising public sector undertakings and banks gradually, and resist moves to invest pension and provident fund in stock market.
