The meeting of the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Sectoral Federations/Associations was held on 15^th May 2025 in New Delhi to review the preparatory activities for the countrywide General Strike on 20^th May 2025. It also took note of the unfolding political developments in the country after the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam killing 26 innocent people, and the response of the Indian Armed Forces in their combat strike actions.

The Joint Platform in its press statement on 9^th May strongly condemned the terrorist attack on innocent people in Pahalgam. It had also urged the government to ensure measures against those who are resorting to divisive hate campaign inside the country at such critical times. We had also applauded the immediate collective response by the working people throughout the country including in Jammu & Kashmir condemning terrorism and hate campaign asserting their unity and solidarity in the all-out fight against terrorism.

After due consideration of the prevailing situation throughout the country, the Joint Platform as an integral part of the responsible patriotic citizenry of the country decided to re-schedule the Nationwide General Strike from 20^th May to 9^th July, 2025 against implementation of Labour Codes and other legitimate demands of the workers, farmers and people in general. It was resolved that on 20^th May, massive demonstrations/mobilisations should be held at State Capital/District/Industry level/Workplace.

However, most appallingly, even in the midst of such critical situation prevailing in the country owing to terrorist massacre and consequent developments, the employers’ class actively supported by the Govts at the centre and in many states is carrying on its onslaughts on the workers and employees across the establishments. Working hours are being unilaterally increased; statutory minimum wages and social security benefits are being flouted. Workers, particularly contract workers are being retrenched with impunity. These are nothing but heinous attempts to implement notorious Labour Codes through backdoor. At the same time despite repeated persuasion by trade unions, the Govt did not bother to meet and consult the Central Trade Unions or to hold Indian labour conference, despite receiving notices for strike from all corners of the country across the sectors.

In this background the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Sectoral Federations/Associations calls upon the working people and their unions throughout the country to keep vigorous continuity of their preparations for the General Strike and make the rescheduled call for countrywide General Strike on 9^th July 2025 a massive success.     

At the same time, the Joint Platform also demands upon the Govt of India to reciprocate the positive approach of the trade union movement and desist from any unilateral precipitative move in the matter of Labour Codes and other legitimate demands relating to working conditions and workers’ rights, both individual and collective and create any kind of provocations in this trying hour before the entire country.

            INTUC                               AITUC                             HMS                              CITU                                 AIUTUC

            TUCC                         SEWA                                 AICCTU                               LPF                             UTUC

And independent sectoral Federations/Associations

केंद्रीय ट्रेड यूनियनों और स्वतंत्र सेक्टोरल फेडरेशनों/संघों के संयुक्त मंच की बैठक 15 मई 2025 को नई दिल्ली में आयोजित की गई, जिसमें 20 मई 2025 को प्रस्तावित देशव्यापी आम हड़ताल की तैयारी की समीक्षा की गई। इस बैठक में पहलगाम में हुए क्रूर आतंकवादी हमले में 26 निर्दोष लोगों की हत्या और उसके बाद भारतीय सशस्त्र बलों द्वारा की गई जवाबी कार्रवाई की पृष्ठभूमि में देश में उत्पन्न राजनीतिक घटनाक्रमों पर भी विचार किया गया।

संयुक्त मंच ने 9 मई को जारी अपने बयान में पहलगाम में निर्दोष लोगों पर हुए आतंकवादी हमले की कड़ी निंदा की थी। मंच ने सरकार से अपील की  थी कि वह देश के भीतर इस संकट की घड़ी में नफरत फैलाने वाले अभियान चला रहे तत्वों के खिलाफ सख्त कार्रवाई करे।

मीटिंग में देशभर में, विशेष रूप से जम्मू और कश्मीर में, आतंकवाद और नफरत के खिलाफ कामगारों की एकजुटता और उनके सामूहिक विरोध को भी सराहा गया।

देशभर में वर्तमान परिस्थितियों पर गंभीरता से विचार करने के बाद, देश के जिम्मेदार और देशभक्त नागरिकों का प्रतिनिधित्व करते हुए संयुक्त मंच ने देशव्यापी आम हड़ताल की तिथि को 20 मई से बढ़ाकर 9 जुलाई 2025 करने का निर्णय लिया है। यह निर्णय श्रम संहिताओं के क्रियान्वयन और श्रमिकों, किसानों तथा आम जनता की अन्य जायज मांगों के हक में लिया गया है। यह भी तय किया गया कि 20 मई को सभी राज्य की राजधानियों, जिलों, औद्योगिक क्षेत्रों और कार्यस्थलों पर बड़े पैमाने पर प्रदर्शन/जुटान किए जाएंगे।

लेकिन अत्यंत दुखद है कि देश में आतंकवादी हमले और उससे उत्पन्न संवेदनशील स्थिति के बावजूद नियोक्ताओं का वर्ग, केंद्र और कई राज्यों की सरकारों के सहयोग से, श्रमिकों पर हमले जारी रखे हुए हैं । कार्य के घंटे एकतरफा रूप से बढ़ाए जा रहे हैं; वैधानिक न्यूनतम वेतन और सामाजिक सुरक्षा लाभों का उल्लंघन किया जा रहा है। विशेष रूप से संविदा श्रमिकों की छंटनी बेरोक-टोक की जा रही है। यह सब बदनाम श्रम संहिताओं को चुपके से लागू करने के प्रयास हैं। वहीं, बार-बार आग्रह करने के बावजूद न तो सरकार ने केंद्रीय ट्रेड यूनियनों से मिलने की जहमत उठाई, न ही भारतीय श्रम सम्मेलन का आयोजन किया, जबकि देश के कोने-कोने से हड़ताल की नोटिसें दी जा चुकी हैं।

इस पृष्ठभूमि में केंद्रीय ट्रेड यूनियनों और स्वतंत्र सेक्टोरल फेडरेशनों/संघों का संयुक्त मंच देशभर के कामगारों और उनकी यूनियनों से अपील करता है कि वे आम हड़ताल की तैयारियों को और तेज करें और 9 जुलाई 2025 को प्रस्तावित देशव्यापी आम हड़ताल को ऐतिहासिक सफलता बनाएं।

साथ ही, संयुक्त मंच भारत सरकार से मांग करता है कि वह ट्रेड यूनियन आंदोलन के इस सकारात्मक रुख का सम्मान करे और श्रम संहिताओं सहित श्रमिकों की कामकाजी परिस्थितियों और अधिकारों से संबंधित अन्य जायज मुद्दों पर कोई भी एकतरफा और उकसावेपूर्ण कदम उठाने से परहेज करे, खासकर इस कठिन समय में जब पूरा देश एकजुट होकर गंभीर चुनौतियों का सामना कर रहा है।

इंटक        एटक             एचएमएस               सीटू           एआइयूटीयूसी  

टीयूसीसी                       सेवा                                 एआईसीसीटीयू             एलपीफ             यूटीयूसी

तथा स्वतंत्र सेक्टोरल फेडरेशन्स/संघ

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) is deeply grieved at the demise of Comrade Nepaldeb Bhattacharya, senior trade union leader, President of All India Road Transport Workers Federation and All India Working Committee member of CITU. Comrade Bhattacharya was admitted in a nursing home at Kolkata for critical ailment a few days back. He breathed his last today on 13^th May, 2025 around 1.25 AM. He was 74.

Comrade Nepaldeb Bhattacharya joined the student movement and the communist movement in his early youth during late sixties. He had been one of the frontline organizers of the student movement. He was elected as the All India General Secretary of SFI in 1979 and continued up to 1986. Subsequently he joined the trade union movement and played a crucial role in organizing the unorganized workers in West Bengal. He was instrumental in building rail hawker union in West Bengal, later he joined the transport workers movement and became a frontline organizer of transport workers movement in West Bengal and national level also. He was elected President of All India Road Transport Workers Federation from its 11^th All India Conference held in July, 2022. He has been the All India Working Committee member of CITU for a long period. He is also the President of CITU North 24 Pargana district Committee.

Comrade Nepaldeb Bhattacharya played important role in parliamentary front as well in championing peoples’ cause, he was elected in Rajya Sabha from West Bengal in 1981.

Comrade Nepaldeb Bhattacharya, despite ill health, remained active in TU movement until he fell seriously ill and was hospitalized recently. He joined the Road Transport Workers Parliament March on 24^th March, 2025 and also participated in the preparatory campaign for the historic Brigade Rally at Kolkata on 20^TH April, 2025, while also being present in Brigade Rally.

At Comrade Nepaldeb Bhattacharya’s demise, the trade union movement has lost a senior frontline experienced leader.  It is a big loss.

CITU conveys its heartfelt condolences at the demise of Comrade Nepaldeb Bhattacharya, to his bereaved wife Manjula Bhattacharya and other family members and comrades. Comrade Nepaldeb Bhattacharya Red Salute!

Tapan Sen
General Secretary

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) welcomes the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan. Upon receiving the news of stoppage of war, the people from both the countries- heaved a sigh of great relief as both the neighbouring nations desperately need peace for their own progress.

CITU sincerely hopes that India and Pakistan should re-built the mutual trust and co-operation in containing and eradicating the menace of terrorism that is inhuman in nature and strive to foster our historical bonds and relationship to new height that would bring prosperity not only to both countries but to the entire region. Pakistan should ensure that its soil not to be used by the terrorist for their nefarious activities.

CITU earnestly appeals to the working people of both countries that we should not allow this sub-continent to become a theater for any terrorist conspiracy and urge upon them to be always vigilant against such a designs that would undoubtedly undermine our own mutual developments and progress and the tranquility

Issued By
Tapan Sen
General Secretary

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) denounces the proposal of the Union Govt to further give more concessions to wilful defaulting employers of their statutory obligations/dues under EPF & Miscellaneous Provisions Act by way of  sharply reducing the rate of statutory penal damages recovery retrospectively from defaulting employers in depositing the PF, Pension and EDLI contributions of the workers with EPFO.

The proposal shall reduce crores of rupees penal damages in total levied under section 14B of EPF & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 for the offence of wilful default by the employers in the payment of contributions and other statutory dues under the Act at varied rates of damages for varied period of default in the pending disputes before 14^th June 2024.  This is done in the guise of Alternative Disputes Resolution Mechanism (ADR) just to help the defaulting employers at the cost of employee’s interest and their retirement benefits.      

Through this the Modi Govt is retrospectively giving effect to its earlier notification dated 14^th June, 2024, through which it had reduced all damage rates for all defaults of the employers in respect of EPF, to mere 1% per month, i.e., 12% per annum across the board to all Schemes, done apparently, in the name promoting ease of doing business, shamelessly defeating the very purpose of the EPF Act and its strict compliance. Prior to  14^th June, 2024, the penal charges were calculated at the rate of 5% per annum for default period of less than two months, 10% for default period of two months and above but less than four months, 15% for four months and above but less than six months and 25% for six months and above. Last year, at the behest of employers in a single stroke Modi regime had reduced it to 1% per month as soon as assuming office for the third time. At that time all Central Trade Unions including CITU vehemently opposed such a move then itself. Such atrocious move of the Govt vide its notification dated 14^th June 2024 was a virtual license to the employers/corporate to violate the EPF Act liberally besides promoting and legitimising a pilferage on workers lifetime savings in provident fund and related benefits.

But the lust for bigger loot on workers of the employers’ class does not end there itself. And the Modi Govt has gone a step further in shamelessly extending the concessions for its masters in the employers’ class to loot on workers in all the pending cases of defaults and related cases of litigations prior to 14^th June 2024 retrospectively. At the dictate of the Govt and the Ministry, the Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner (Legal) EPFO, in the meeting of Central Trade Unions for a consultation held on 29.4.2025, has shamelessly proposed the extension/retrospective application of the earlier order on drastic reductions in penalty-damage rate for wilful default in EPF dues, dated 14^th June 2024 to all cases of similar defaults by employers prior to 14^th June 2024. All the trade union representatives including CITU present in the meeting have vigorously opposed such notoriously shameless proposal made by EPFO in the meeting.        

The meeting with the CTUs on 29-04-2025 was called by EPFO to discuss the so-called implementation of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanism in EPFO. Disputes pertained to issue of numerous cases of wilful defaults by the employers in paying their statutory dues to workers provident fund pending prior to 14^th June 2024. The Govt through EPFO proposed a mechanism of virtually legitimising all such defaults through liberal reduction of the damage rates, instead of making them to strictly comply with the law of the land under section 14B of EPF Act.      

The sections 7Q & 14B of the Act are only deterrent provisions against such defaults and, in addition, that are the only instruments to ensure the compliance of Act passed by the sovereign Parliament. The policy of waiver of tax dues of defaulting rich and big business under Modi regime in the name of “Vivaad Se Vishwas & Samasya Se Samadhan” for ease of doing business is being attempted to be implemented even in social security legislations meant for the betterment of the working people and their post retirement benefits. The decriminalisation process of the 180 provisions of 41 legislations done through Jan Vishwas Act 2023 is being done through this executive order in the EPF Act just to aid the wilful defaulting employers, that too retrospectively.   

The pro corporate face of Modi regime is glaringly visible through this proposal even in encouraging them to violate the only extant social security legislation- the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 – that guarantees some minimum benefits like provident fund, pension and some assured benefits in the event of death in harness- that too mostly for organised work force in our country.

CITU demands the Union Government to rescind this anti-labour and default-promoting pro-employer proposals immediately and calls upon the working people to intensify the ongoing preparations and campaigns to make 20^th May General Strike a success in order to defeat such pro corporate anti- worker machinations by the Corporate-Communal ruling dispensation at the centre.

Issued by
Tapan Sen 
General Secretary

DEMANDS STRINGENT ACTION AGAINST JINGOIST THREATS BY THE DIVISIVE FORCES SPREADING HATRED

CALLS UPON THE WORKING PEOPLE TO DEFEND AND STRENGTHEN PEOPLE’S UNITY TO COMBAT TERRORIST FORCES

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), while condemning the atrocious and dastardly terrorist attacks that killed 28 innocent tourists at Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved families.

This heinous act of violence is a stark reminder of the persistent threat of terrorism and its devastating impact on peace and harmony. The mindless violence in Pahalgam, by scaring away tourists, will decimate the livelihoods of the vast number of working people reliant on tourism and allied sectors, with devastating consequences for the economy of Jammu & Kashmir. CITU stands in solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in this hour of grief and demands the government to ensure stringent punishment to the perpetuators of this horrific and barbarous crime.

CITU appreciates the spontaneous collective response of the working people against such heinous crime in almost all the states in the country including in Jammu and Kashmir itself. This immediate and unified response from the working people demonstrates their unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and their rejection of violence and divisive hatred.

CITU expresses serious concern over numerous reports of threats and harassment of students, traders and workers belonging to Jammu and Kashmir in different states, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra etc by the divisive forces. A vicious campaign is also going on in social media targeting the Kashmiris and the minority community despite the fact that Kashmiris in one voice denounced and protested against the violence by terrorist outfit. In Dehradun, due to the threats and an ultimatum issued by a communal outfit, which has become viral in social media, many Kashmiri students had to leave for their homes. 

These acts of intimidation and violence against students are unacceptable and reflect a dangerous trend of communal polarisation. CITU warns that such nasty activities by the divisive forces only help the nefarious designs and agenda of the terrorists.

CITU demands the respective state governments to ensure the safety and security of Kashmiri students and to take strict action against those involved in these reprehensible acts.

CITU calls upon all its cadres, members and all workers and common people in general and all progressive and democratic sections of society to remain alert and united in combating such disruptive activities and protect the unity of the people against terrorism.

Issued by
Tapan Sen
General Secretary

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) denounces the Bill passed in the Loka Sabha, enabling the Government to make discriminatory distinctions among the Pensioners from being beneficiaries of the Pay Commissions recommendations, in utter violation of the long standing practices being followed almost since inception. This is nothing but a desperate as well as arbitrary move of the Govt to deceive the pensioners of Govt services.

The legislation regarding “Validation of the CCS (Pension) Rules and Principles for expenditure on Pension Liabilities from the Consolidated Fund of India” passed in Loka Sabha on 25^th March 2025 as a part of Finance Bill 2025 is a deceptive and discriminatory and unjust exercise of the Govt as part of its so called austerity measure dictated by the neoliberal forces.

This legislation authorizes the Govt to discriminate in the guise of distinction among the pensioners with regard to applicability of the recommendations of Pay Commissions based on the date of retirement. Further effective date of the legislation  are retrospectively made applicable from 1^st June 1972 and validating the Rules made under the Article 309 of the Constitution for CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, 2021 and latest extraordinary Rules, 2023 including all instructions issued there under as amended from time to time. Hence the Legislation shall rob all the pensioners under the Guaranteed Old Pension Scheme (OPS) as well as those under the New Pension Scheme (NPS) and also under latest Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) touted by the Govt in the media with much fan-fare, which is notified to be implemented from 1^st April 2025 in a deceptive manner.

The Legislation is another example of the notoriety of the Modi led Union Govt perpetrated against the workers and employees.   The Employees and the Pensioners have all through opposed the policies truncating the pensions and have urged for nothing less than non contributory and guaranteed pension – Old Pension Scheme for which continuous movement was undertaken and is still continuing.

The CITU urges the Union Govt to scrap the Bill passed in the Lok Sabha and shall stand with the employees and pensioners in their struggles to resist and defy the legislation and urging for the statutory guaranteed – non contributory pension – old pension scheme and opposes any discriminatory move/exercise in applicability of the recommendations of Pay Commissions among the pensioners.

Issued by
(Tapan Sen)
General Secretary

The new service for domestic “maids” offered by the Urban Company which “promises” to make available domestic services within 15 minutes for Rs 49 per hour is yet another example of the continuing exploitation and dehumanization of paid domestic workers in our country.

It is well known that such platforms charge a commission to the workers, which successively increases over time, leading to severe exploitation of such ‘gig’ workers. It is therefore unlikely that workers will get even the amount that has been advertised as the cost to the customer, which in any case is far below the minimum wages of at least Rs. 100 per hour that CITU has been demanding for some time now. The issue of safety at the customers’ homes is critical especially when several other women providing beauty and other services by such platforms have complained of sexual harassment. It should be noted that these companies continue to flout the law of the land and refuse to implement the POSH Act by falsely claiming to be ‘aggregators’ and not employers.

We strongly condemn the pejorative term “maid” that has been used by the Urban Company. It shows its arrogance and wilful ignorance of the long–drawn struggles, both national and international, of domestic workers, against stigmatization and for their dignity and status as workers. We also condemn the manner in which domestic workers are stereotyped as lazy, unreliable and take leave without notice, ignoring the reality of their miserable working and living conditions.

Platform based domestic services is not a new concept in our country. However, the entry of Urban Company brings with it the power and clout of a corporate entity that will not only exploit the workers, but also make profits on the data that it will mine on the basis of consumers’ preferences, and the advertising revenue it will earn in the process. It is argued that the conversion of domestic workers into “gig workers” will lead to the formalization and visibilisation of the sector, enable their registration and regulate their tasks. CITU believes that it will mainly lead to further exploitation of a section that is already working in sub-human conditions. Formalization and registration should be achieved by a comprehensive law that will protect domestic workers, ensure index linked minimum wages and a weekly off, regulate working hours, and provide earned leave, bonus, and social security benefits such as pensions, health and life insurance. This law should protect the vast majority of domestic workers in this country are the live out (so called ‘part time’) women workers, many of whom are barely literate and do not own a smart phone. They work at pitiful wages and are subject to exploitation, caste and religious discrimination and physical and sexual abuse.

It is ironical that the service has been launched just when the Supreme Court has recently, suo moto commented on the vulnerability of domestic workers and the non-regulation of this crucial sector that employs lakhs of workers, primarily women. We call upon the Government of India to take heed of this order and take steps to enact a comprehensive law that will regulate the working conditions of domestic workers and accord them their legitimate rights as workers. We also call upon the Urban Company to withdraw the term ‘maid’, and pay their workers minimum wages, social security and ensure their safety at the work place. 

AICCDW (CITU) will intensify its struggles for the long pending demands of domestic workers for a life of dignity. We call upon the domestic workers throughout the country to unionise and fight the exploitation and discrimination they face on an everyday basis.

Issued by
Kiran Moghe
Convenor

The National Convention of Workers on 18th March 2025 organised by the platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Sectoral Federations and Associations adopted a Declaration with a call for two-month long campaign to culminate in a Nationwide General Strike on 20th May 2025.

The participants included the leaders and activists from the unions of the PSU and Govt Sectors such as those from Banks, Insurance, Coal, Steel, Port and Dock, Electricity, Telecom, Postal, Railways, Defence, Roadways, Education, Health, Water, Civil services etc and private formal sector including the contract workers of those sectors, those from the informal/unorganised sectors- industrial as well as contract, outsourced workers and self-employed in piece rate work, domestic workers, gig and app based workers, scheme workers-from Anganwadi, ASHA and Mid-day Meal schemes, beedi and construction sector, loaders-unloaders etc.

Pyare Lal Bhavan, New Delhi was bursting out of seams with the representatives of all CTUs from all the states across the length and breadth of India and sectoral unions converged to demonstrate the unity to resist against the anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-people policies of the BJP government.

Voices rose in unison, in a chorus of condemnation against the central government that deliberately maintains more than a decade long deaf ear to the consistent demands of the Trade Unions on the one side and their collective rejection of its policies on the other. 

The leaders who addressed the convention endorsed the Declaration. Among those who addressed included Ashok Singh from INTUC, Amarjeet Kaur from AITUC, Harbhajan Singh from HMS, Tapan Sen from CITU, Harish Tyagi from AIUTUC, K Indu Prakash Menon from TUCC, Lata Ben from SEWA, Rajiv Dimri from AICCTU, Jawahar Prasad from LPF, and Ashok Ghosh from UTUC.

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) flays and denounces the utter lack of concern and well-equipped preparedness of the Union Govt and Defence Ministry to meet the challenges of avalanche putting the plight of lives of workers at stake at Border Road Organization (BRO) Camp site at hilly terrains of Chimoli in Uttarkhand on 28.2.2025. CITU urges for swift rescue measures for avalanche-struck workers.

The news of even defence forces not being able to access the site of avalanche struck workers engaged in construction of border road reveals the plight of safety of workers engaged in such work that too in hostile weather as well as in difficult geographical conditions without even communication network. The Union defence ministry undertaking the border road construction, having put these contract workers to work and the state govt going un-alert and shamelessly indifferent in spite of Indian Meteorological department’s cautions on snow fall and rains in the hilly areas of the state without any preventive arrangement and preparedness speaks about utter callousness on their part them towards the labourers.

The Contractor engaging workers in such a job without necessary safety preparedness and evacuation plan in case of avalanche in such hostile weather situation, while such a snow fall / avalanche are routinely expected during this calendar of the year should be black listed as well as penalized. The BRO construction workers, most of whom are migrant workers are put to brutal work conditions without necessary safety & health, transport and residential facilities. In this case even the lack of communication has further worsened the rescue operations.

The Border Road Organization and the Defence Ministry under Union Govt have to compensate the workers and their families for the losses incurred due to Avalanche struck disaster, as principal employers engaging the migrant contract labour as per Interstate Migrant Workers Act-1979 and Contract labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act 1970. Union Labour Ministry has to ensure the compliance of the statutory provisions in the works of Border Road Organization works, where the violations are norms almost in every worksite and Union Govt should act to safeguard the workers and their lives instead of decriminalizing the offences for ease of doing business.

Issued by,
Tapan Sen
General Secretary