HYDERABAD: Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said the BRS and BJP governments at the state and Centre seem to be neglecting the rights of workers while weakening the laws meant to protect them. He pointed out that the Congress had earlier introduced a law ensuring minimum wages.
However, the BRS government failed to review the minimum wages board in a state that was established after a significant mass movement like the Sakala Janula Samme. This shows a lack of concern for workers' rights, and Bhatti suggested that the workers take a stand and hold the BRS government accountable for its actions.
One of the issues that workers should raise is the exploitation through the outsourcing system. Additionally, the government has diverted '10,000 crore, which was collected through a cess meant to benefit workers. Furthermore, the state government is not properly implementing the NREGS (National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme), which could be advantageous to around 54 lakh families.
Bhatti outlined the promises that the Congress plans to fulfil if it wins the elections in 2023-24. They aim to work for the benefit of both the organised and unorganised sectors, and he urged the workers to be cautious of feudalistic and capitalist governments and not get swayed by their rhetoric.
He emphasised the importance of acknowledging Dr Ambedkar's contributions, as he fought for and brought in laws that were beneficial to workers, both during the British rule and in independent India. Dr Ambedkar was instrumental in securing workers' rights, including the establishment of an eight-hour workday, maternity leave for women, and the incorporation of workers' rights into the Constitution.
The meeting was attended by several notable figures, including AICC secretary Mansoor Ali Khan, Organised Workers and Employees Congress, and Kamgaar Congress chairman Dr Udit Raj, Congress campaign committee chairman Madhu Yashki, TPCC working president Mahesh Kumar Goud, Anjan Kumar Yadav, and KKC State chairman Kaushal Sameer.
