India Actions

IndustriALL Global Union, South Asian affiliates’ SMEFI and INMF conducted a series of programmes across India for the Stop Precarious Work campaign.

The Steel Metal & Engineering Workers Federation of India (SMEFI) organized various programmes all over the country around the day of action to STOP Precarious Work in the NCR region, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, where large number of SMEFI Members participated on 7 October.

SMEFI, Maharashtra State organized a Rally of workers at Thane, in which nearly 500 workers participated. The Rally then culminated at Dy. Labour Commissioners’ Office. On behalf of SMEFI Maharashtra, a memorandum with the issues faced by unorganized and contract workers was handed over to Dy. Labour Commissioner of the Thane region. He assured his fullest cooperation in solving the workers’ issues. 

SMEFI in Andhra Pradesh gathered around 250 workers in the rally on 7 October against precarious work. The workers were informed working hours, working conditions, payment of minimum wages, the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) and the social security scheme.

Indian National Mineworkers’ Federation (INMF) organized a big rally of contract workers working in Western Coalfields Ltd. The rally was followed by a gate meeting in front of the Head Quarters of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), Nagpur. Around 200 contract workers and activists, from various areas of WCL submitted their list of demands management. Their demands are as follows:

• The company will prepare list of all contract workers who are engaged in mining activities
• Implementation of agreed enhanced wages of Contract workers
• Issuance of a medical card to all contract workers
• Payment of bonus 8.33 per cent as per bonus act on or before Diwali (a major festival of working class)
• WCL management ensures that no contract workers shall be discriminated / intimidated due to union activities