A significant gathering of workers and labour unions is set to take place in Haryana next week, marking a major show of opposition against recent state and central legislation. The Haryana State Committee of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has announced a large-scale convention specifically targeting the contentious Shanti Bill and the four new labour codes passed by the central government.
Details of the Upcoming Jind Convention
The convention is scheduled for Monday, January 15, 2024. It will be held at the Ram Lila ground in Jind city, a strategic location in the heart of Haryana. The event is being organized with the explicit purpose of mobilizing public opinion and galvanizing a movement against these laws, which unions claim are detrimental to workers' rights.
According to CITU state leaders, the convention will serve as a platform to explain the perceived dangers of both the Shanti Bill and the labour codes to a wide audience. The organizers anticipate a massive turnout, expecting thousands of workers, farmers, and concerned citizens from across the Jind district and surrounding areas to participate. The goal is to build a broad-based coalition of opposition.
What Are the Shanti Bill and Labour Codes?
The primary focus of the protest is twofold. First is the Haryana Prevention of Damage to Public and Private Property Bill, 2023, commonly referred to as the 'Shanti Bill'. Labour unions argue that this bill imposes harsh penalties and could be misused to stifle legitimate protest and dissent, particularly during demonstrations or strikes.
Second are the four new labour codes enacted by the central government: the Code on Wages, the Industrial Relations Code, the Social Security Code, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code. While the government states these codes streamline and modernize labour laws, trade unions across India have vehemently opposed them. Critics, including CITU, allege the codes will:
- Erode job security by making it easier for employers to hire and fire workers.
- Dilute the power of trade unions.
- Compromise social security benefits for a large section of the workforce.
Leaders and Broader Mobilization Plans
The convention will feature addresses by prominent labour figures. Haryana CITU president Surekha and general secretary Jagbir Singh are among the key leaders who will speak at the event. Their messages will aim to unify the attending workers and outline a future course of action.
This Jind convention is not an isolated event but part of a larger strategic campaign. The CITU leadership has stated that this gathering will kickstart a series of agitations and awareness programs across the state. The plan is to use the momentum from the Jind meeting to organize similar protests and meetings in other districts, building pressure on the state and central governments to reconsider the legislation.
The success of this convention could signal the strength of the labour movement's resistance in Haryana. The coming together of thousands in Jind on January 15 will be a crucial test for the unions and a clear indicator of the public sentiment regarding these polarizing laws. All eyes will be on Ram Lila ground as workers assemble to make their voices heard.
