The Uttar Pradesh State Unit of the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) held a Dharna in front of the State Assembly on September 22 against the Mayawati Government’s anti worker, anti-peasant policies. The dharna was addressed by AICCTU General Secretary Swapan Mukherjee among others. He lambasted the State Government saying those very Dalits and working poor who brought her to power have been and are being betrayed by this Government. Labour laws have been bulldozed and nowhere is the minimum wage act being honoured. Recently the Pay Commission said that no family can survive on wage of less than Rs.200/-, and in keeping with this fact the UP Government must fix the legal minimum wage at Rs.200/-. This urgent step is not being taken by the rulers anywhere in the country and this is just taking many lives of poor people and workers-peasants. The AICCTU General Secretary called for supporting the Kisan-Mazdoor Adhikar Abhiyan to be launched by CPI(ML) in October, a campaign which would culminate in the massive Kisan-Mazdoor Rally at Balia on November 7 2008. The dharna was also addressed by AICCTU State President Hari Singh, State Secretary Anil Verma, Com.Raghunath Prasad of Building Workers’ Union, State leader Com. Babulal, M.Valmiki of Kanpur Jan Sansthan Karmachari Sangha, Comrades Rampravesh Yadav, Anjani Chaturvedi and Netram. Comrade Swapan also addressed the State level dharna of Gram Rozgar Sewaks (Village Employment Volunteers). A 13-point demand letter was sent to the Governor through the City Magistrate.
