The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) congratulates the farmers of our country and their united platform for the massive kisan parade on the Republic Day both at national capital and in hundreds of districts across the country to defend our country’s self reliance, food and energy security and the rights enshrined in our Constitution

The kisan parade on the Republic Day virtually became a peoples’ parade drawing crores of people in addition to farmers, agricultural workers, workers and people from all walks of lives throughout the country. People in thousands waited on the sides of the roads and greeted the parade, in all the places that it took place. This clearly demonstrates the overwhelming support to the farmers’ demands and struggle as well as the strong opposition to the to the draconian and destructive policies of the BJP government led by Modi.

CITU condemns the attempts by some disruptive forces, working as the agents of the ruling party to malign the movement by resorting to anarchy and creating unwelcome incidents at Delhi by deviating from the unitedly agreed upon programme. This is nothing but a ploy to divert the attention of the country from the main issues of farmers. The Samyukta Kisan Sangharsh Morcha (SKM) has unequivocally condemned these activities of such disruptive forces.

CITU appreciates the fact that the overwhelming majority of the tractors and farmers paraded peacefully and in a disciplined manner through the routes that were agreed upon by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. It denounces the police for resorting to lathi charge, use of tear gas and water cannons on the peaceful demonstration the farmers.

The kisan parade on the Republic Day demonstrates the discipline, commitment and resolve of the farmers to continue the united struggle under their united platform for achieving repeal of the draconian farm laws and the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020. CITU is fully confident that no agent provocateur of the ruling classes can distract them and disrupt their united struggle.

CITU demands the government to concede the genuine demands of the farmers and repeal the three farm laws and withdraw the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 immediately

Issued by
(Tapan Sen)
 General Secretary 

The meeting between the representatives of the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and the Samyukta Sangharsh Morcha of farmers held on 22^nd January congratulated the farmers and their organisations for their determined struggles on their just demands. The meeting paid homage to the farmers who lost their lives during the course of the protests.

It is more than 58 days since lakhs of farmers have been protesting at the borders of Delhi braving cold, rains and inclement weather demanding repeal of the three ‘black’ farm acts and withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 and legal guarantee for MSP for all crops along with assured government procurement. The meeting appreciated the firm unity and resolve displayed by the farmers’ organisations in the midst of the government’s vilification campaign branding the farmers as Khalistanis, terrorists, etc, using the ‘godi’ corporate controlled media and its troll army.

The meeting deplored the use of NIA, ED, Income tax department and imposing criminal cases to threaten and intimidate the leadership of the agitation and innocent farmers. It demanded that the Central Government take cognizance of widening support to Kisan agitation, stop delaying tactics and accept the just demands of the Farmers graciously at once.

The meeting also appreciated the active support and solidarity expressed by all sections of people, particularly the workers and the trade unions, who have been in the front line in solidarity actions across the country. Thousands of workers are participating in all the protest actions called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha all over the country and actively campaigning in support of the farmers’ demands. Thousands of workers are getting ready to participate in the Kisan Parade on 26^th January at the national capital and in different parts of the country.

The meeting emphasised that the growing unity of working class and the farmers in the fight against the three farm acts, four labour codes, privatisation and sale of  national assets and loot by the corporate, and in defence of democratic rights is historic and in the interest of the entire nation. It was decided to further strengthen the unity of the workers and farmers and intensify their struggles. It was also decided to explore the possibilities of joint struggles against the anti people policies of the NDA government in the future.

INTUC                     AITUC                    HMS                     CITU                       AIUTUC

TUCC                SEWA                      AICCTU                     LPF                    UTUC

AND

Representatives of AIKSCC

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions denounces the destructive as well as desperate move of the Govt to further divest 10 per cent shares of public sector Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL). This is nothing but putting the valuable national assets on auction to the detriment of national interests and for the benefits of private corporate.    

Already around 25% percent shares of SAIL have been sold out in the market by successive governments. This time when SAIL has been facing a difficult situation financially, followed by sharp decline in share price to around Rs 74, putting SAIL under further disinvestment tantamount to a shameless sabotage of a Maharatna Company like SAIL with a huge asset base by its owner Govt. This is nothing but pushing SAIL towards phased privatization that too at throw away prices only to benefit the private corporate, both foreign and domestic. The Department of Privatisation under Govt of India, the infamous DIPAM has put SAIL shares under Offer for Sale (OFS) today at a floor price of Rs 64 per share thereby further reducing the offer price from the level of market price.

The entire trade union movement of the country are opposing such sabotaging activities of the Govt by way of reckless disinvestment and privatization of country’s PSUs facilitating a loot on national assets by private corporate, both foreign and domestic. Decision of disinvestment in SAIL that too at a bottom level offer price is another desperate step in that direction and working people must unitedly oppose such destructive move.

CITU calls upon the working class and the steel workers movement in particular to voice their united protest and condemnation to the Govt move for disinvestment of share in SAIL.     

Issued by
(Tapan Sen)
General Secretary 

The joint Platform of Central Trade Union Organisations term the so-called  tripartite consultations by the Ministry of Labour.  Govt. of India, as Farce. They again demand physical meetings with adequate duration.

The Joint Platform of Central Trade Union Organisations have written a letter to the Minister for Labour and Employment, responding to yet another invitation for video conference proposed for 12th January on framing of rules on the Code on Social Security and Code on Occupational Health and Safety and Working Conditions.

The government has failed to take cognizance of our previous letter addressed on 22nd December demanding physical meetings for discussion on such a serious matter which would have long lasting adverse impact on the lives of more than 50 crores work force of our country and the negation of collective bargaining as a core fundamental right of workers. (The letters dated 22nd December 2020 and 9th January 2021 attached). We have been critical of adoption of labour codes by flouting all Parliamentary norms without discussion in absence of the entire opposition from the Parliament and without Tripartite consultations. Instead of taking our objections seriously, the government is trying to create a farce of Tripartite consultations by setting up this kind of video conference when we know that the physical meetings of the government at various levels are taking place including the negotiations with the farmers as well as the election preparation rallies in various states etc. One can understand if along with the physical meeting a few of those who find it difficult to travel due to special circumstances could be provided online facility also. But to deny the serious exercise through physical meetings smells of willful anti labour instance on the part of the Government. We reiterate that we do not want to be a part of this farce. Nor the CTUs and the workers in general are going to accept the Codes as well as the rules lying down.

INTUC |  AITUC |  HMS |  CITU |  AIUTUC
TUCC |  SEWA |  AICCTU |   LPF |  UTUC

The joint platform of Central trade union organisations have written on  22nd December  2020 to the Minister for Labour and Employment to conduct a physical meeting for discussion on framing of rules for each of the four codes separately for any fruitful discussions in the matter. (The letter is attached herewith).

They are of the opinion that this kind of exercise, involving more than a score of stakeholders, through one single day video conference, on the draft rules of all the four labour codes, is meant only for the record and would serve no fruitful purpose. They are of the opinion that this exercise is being under taken only to meet the criticism that this Government at centre is violating tripartite consultations, as on the one hand they cancel the winter session of the parliament, while on the other, throwing all precautions of distancing during the Covid pandemic, for the election campaign and their political rallies etc. Hence the undersigned central trade unions will not be a part of such a farce.

         INTUC                     AITUC                    HMS                     CITU                       AIUTUC

          TUCC                     SEWA                      AICCTU                     LPF                    UTUC

After the successful Bharat Bandh on 8^th December called by the Farmers jointly, the Central Government cannot call this a “Punjab question” any more. Invitation by Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah to Farmers’ representatives from Punjab as well as from other states, is an acceptance of this fact. 

The Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Sectoral Federations/Associations are closely following the machinations of the Centre, such as planting alleged NIA reports of instigation by SJF from Canada, alleged letter bearing lakhs of signatures of the Haryana Farmers backing the Agri-laws, offer to amend laws and many other such deceitful diversionary tactics have failed to make any headway against the demand to repeal the three Agri-laws that itself has become a material force.

The Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Sectoral Federations/Associations reiterate their wholehearted support to the ongoing united struggles of the farmers demanding scrapping of draconian Agri-laws, Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020 and legislation guaranteeing MSP.

We have once again received letter from the Samyukta Morcha of Kisans for their appreciation of continued support from the Central Trade Union organisations for their justified struggle. They have informed us the next phase of their action programmes with request to extend support.

The Samyukta Morcha of farmers’ organizations has decided the following action programmes;

• From 12 December to block the Delhi- Jaipur National Highway.
• From 12 December to open Toll Plazas throughout the country.
• State/local level actions of the farmers on 14^th December 2020.
• Boycott the Products of Ambani and Adani like Jio, Reliance Malls, Adani Fresh etc.

The Joint Platform of CTUs and Sectoral Federations/Associations call upon the workers, employees and their unions, irrespective of affiliations, to be ever vigilant and extend our active solidarity to the call of Farmers’ Joint Struggle in the coming crucial period.                               

        INTUC                     AITUC                    HMS                     CITU                       AIUTUC
        TUCC                SEWA                      AICCTU                     LPF                    UTUC

And Sectoral Federations/Associations

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions salutes the people of the country for their spontaneous response to the call of countrywide bandh on 8^th December 2020 demanding scrapping of the draconian pro-corporate farm laws and the Electricity Bill 2020.

The bandh call was given by the united platform of peasants’ organisations who have been camping near the borders of the national capital at Delhi since 26-27 November 2020 pressing for outright repeal of the anti-farmer, anti-people and anti-national farm laws and the Electricity Bill 2020. The entire trade union movement has supported their struggles from the very beginning, right since the ordinances were promulgated by the Modi government, in all their agitations and mobilisations. Scrapping of the draconian farm laws and Electricity Bill 2020, along with the labour codes, was one of the demands of the trade unions in their countrywide general strike on 26^th November 2020.

The bandh was total, in both the towns and villages, paralysing normal activities in most of the states. Numerous demonstrations by workers, peasants, and other sections of toiling people were held in lakhs of locations in both cities and villages, on the highways and railway tracks throughout the country. Mass scale intimidation, arrests of the demonstrators by Police, particularly in the BJP-ruled states could not deter the people in the least from their determined united action. The bandh reflects the anger and condemnation by the people, of the brazenly anti-people, barbaric and destructive policies of the government. 

CITU demands that the BJP government led by Modi concede the peasants’ demands, which are supported by the entire nation, as is reflected in today’s bandh. CITU demands the government to immediately repeal the three farm laws and withdraw the Electricity Bill 2020.

CITU once again reiterates its continued support to the genuine demands of the peasants and assures them of its total support in all forms, to their struggle to achieve them.

Issued by: 
Tapan Sen
(General Secretary)

The Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Sectoral Federations/Associations reiterate their wholehearted support to the ongoing united struggles of the farmers demanding scrapping of draconian Agri-laws, Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020 and legislation guaranteeing MSP.

The Joint Platform takes note with satisfaction that from 27^th November 2020 onwards, workers and employees and their unions have been fully active in holding numerous agitations in solidarity with the ongoing farmers’ struggles, in all the states throughout the country braving arrests and intimidation from many of the state administration/police.

The Joint Platform welcomes the firm resolve and determination of the united platform of Farmers Organisations to intensify the struggles countrywide and extends all support to their call for Bharat Bandh on 8^th December 2020.

The Joint Platform of CTUs and Sectoral Federations/Associations call upon the workers, employees and their unions, irrespective of affiliations, to organize active solidarity to the Farmers’ Organisations’ call for Bharat Bandh on 8^th December, 2020.

        INTUC                     AITUC                    HMS                     CITU                       AIUTUC
          TUCC                SEWA                      AICCTU                     LPF                    UTUC
And Sectoral Federations/Association

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) expresses its total support and solidarity to the Janata Curfew/ Bharat Bandh called by the Delhi Chalo Samyukta Kisan Morcha, the joint platform of peasants’ organisations on 8^th December 2020-12-05

The joint platforms of the peasants’ organisations have been demanding repeal of the three Farm Acts, being correctly named ‘Black Acts’ by them and the Electricity Bill, 2020.

Instead of conceding to their demand of the repeal of the Acts, the BJP government, in its discussions with the farmers’ organisations till now, has been offering cosmetic changes in the laws. It is resorting to machinations intended to mislead the common people that the struggle was only localised to Punjab farmers and as its wont, create confusion and division. With peasants from not only Haryana, but also from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan etc marching to reach the national capital, and peasants on the roads in several other states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha etc, it has become clear that the farmers across the country are part of this struggle against the three Farm Acts and the Electricity Bill 2020.

While strongly condemning the adamant attitude of the Modi led BJP government in refusing to meet the genuine demands of the farmers, CITU reiterates its total support to the demands which impact not only the farmers but also the workers, particularly the huge sections of unorganised sector workers, the food security of the people, only to benefit the big corporates, domestic and foreign. CITU points out that the working class of the country has also raised these demands in its massive country wide general strike on 26^th November, which was supported by all sections of the people including the farmers and agricultural workers across the country. 

CITU appeals to the working class of the country to actively support the Janata Curfew/ Bharat Bandh on 8^th December. It calls upon all its committees to stand in solidarity with the peasants.

The struggle of the peasants is a struggle against mortgaging the interests of our toiling people to facilitate amassing of wealth by a few corporate looters. It is a common struggle of all the toiling people, who feed the country and who produce the wealth of the country, the workers and the peasants. It needs to be fought unitedly by all toiling people.

Issued by:
Tapan Sen
(General Secretary)

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) congratulates the hundreds of millions of workers and peasants across the country for rising as one to protest against the atrocious attacks of the Modi led BJP government, on their, rights, lives and livelihoods and thei anti-worker, anti-people and anti-national policies. Over 25 crore workers, agricultural workers and other sections of toiling people who produce the wealth of the country struck work. They were joined by millions of peasants in the massive protest actions across the country including in remote rural areas.

The atmosphere in several states, including Kerala, West Bengal, Tripura etc resembled a bandh with the transport coming to a standstill and factories, shops, offices and commercial establishments wearing deserted look. In Assam and several other states also there was bandh like situation.

Strike was total in many industrial clusters in the country – in Karnataka, Telangana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Delhi etc.  Most of the workers in Calcutta, Chennai, Tuticorin, Cochin, JNPT, Vizag and Paradip ports were on strike. Coal workers, steel workers, iron ore workers etc including contract workers participated in the strike despite threats from the contractors. Strike was near total in the Bengaluru based public sector and also to a great extent in the PSUs in Hyderabad region. Public and private road transport was seriously affected by the strike in several states like Assam, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh etc. Indian seamen, not only in India, but also those who were on duties in different parts of the world held solidarity actions from wherever they were located.   

The strike was total in the insurance, massive in banks. Central and state government employees participated in the strike in almost all states. Telecom workers joined the strike in large numbers.

Crores of unorganised sector workers – construction workers, head load workers, shop employees, beedi workers, private road transport workers, the traditional sector workers including plantation, coir, workers etc, scheme workers etc participated in the strike. Around 20000 anganwadi employees struck work and courted arrest in Punjab.

All over the country, several thousands of workers, peasants, agricultural workers, youth, women and students participated in the road and rail blockades.  

Unnerved by the massive response of the workers to the general strike on 26^th November, of the response of the peasants to the protests called by the over 250 kisan organisations on 26-27 November, coinciding with the strike and the unprecedented solidarity of these toiling

sections of people, the BJP government at the centre, as well as some state governments resorted to repression. The Delhi police under the government of India did not allow the workers and peasants to gather and arrested many of those protesting in Jantar Mantar, manhandled and arrested P Krishna Prasad, an office bearer of All India Kisan Sabha and Mayukh Biswas, General Secretary of Students Federation of India and many others.  The BJP government in Haryana sealed the borders with Delhi and resorted to midnight raids and arrest hundreds of peasant and trade union leaders. But they could not deter them from marching on and coming to national capital. Simultaneously, multiple numbers of dhanas were held in all the place of police-blockade by thousands of people.   

The BJP goons in Tripura, with the tacit support of the BJP state government and its police, tried to force the shops open, failing which they attacked and ransacked the offices of the trade unions and the Left parties which supported the strike. Around 700 construction workers were arrested across the country including in Odisha and West Bengal. ‘Preventive arrests’ of CITU leaders were made in Krishna and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh. Trade union activists and leaders were arrested in several other states including Telangana.

The countrywide general strike on 26^th November also received huge international attention and solidarity. In addition to the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) solidarity messages were also sent by scores of its affiliates, and also many other international trade unions fighting against neoliberalism in their own countries.

While congratulating the workers for the massive strike and expressing heartfelt gratitude to the WFTU, the international trade union movement and peasants for their solidarity and support, CITU warns the BJP government that it cannot suppress the workers through vindictive actions or arrests. The workers and peasants will not rest till the disastrous and disruptive policies of the BJP government are reversed. The strike today is only a beginning. Much more intense struggles will be following.

Issued by:
Tapan Sen
General Secretary