Raising slogans demanding withdrawal of false cases against workers and immediate release of all arrested workers and activists, protesters also called for the implementation of a minimum wage of Rs 26,000 and guarantee of an eight-hour workday.
Addressing the gathering, AICCTU leader and CPI(ML) Central Committee member Shweta Raj said that CPI(ML) stands in solidarity with workers’ struggles across the country and strongly condemns the repression and arrests of workers and activists. She said that on the eve of the birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the working class of the country has shown that workers’ unity cannot be broken and that the modern-day slavery being imposed by the BJP-corporate nexus will not go unchallenged. Workers have risen in resistance to assert their rights and dignity.
She added that repression will not break the strength of workers in their struggle against the anti-people policies of the BJP regime. The working-class movement will continue to grow stronger and break these chains of exploitation.
The protest put forward clear demands, including unconditional release of all workers, withdrawal of false cases, implementation of an eight-hour workday with a minimum wage of Rs 26,000, immediate repeal of the labour codes, measures to control price rise, and cancellation of licences of companies violating workers’ rights.
