Left parties extend support to nationwide general strike against labour policies on February 12

Left parties, including the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist), have extended full support to the nationwide general strike scheduled for February 12, protesting what they termed as anti-labour and anti-farmer policies of the Union and State governments.

In a joint press statement issued here on February 10, the Left parties strongly opposed the four labour codes enacted by the Centre, alleging that they push workers into conditions akin to “modern-day slavery” and weaken hard-earned labour rights. They demanded the immediate repeal of the labour codes, claiming that they primarily benefit corporate interests at the cost of workers’ welfare.

The statement pointed out that a large section of the workforce across sectors continues to remain in insecure employment, working under outsourcing and contract systems for meagre wages, without job security or social protection. The parties alleged that the new labour laws legalise the exploitation of workers who contribute significantly to the country’s wealth, leading to rising poverty, unemployment and health issues.

The Left parties also demanded the withdrawal of what they described as anti-people legislations such as the Electricity Bill and the “peace law”, alleging that these further undermine workers’ and farmers’ interests.

Referring to MGNREGA, the statement said the employment guarantee law had been implemented due to sustained struggles by Left parties. However, it alleged that after the BJP came to power, budgetary allocations for the scheme were drastically reduced, and that the government had effectively diluted the Act by renaming and restructuring it, thereby curtailing the right to employment.

Accusing both the Union and State governments of pursuing such labour and agriculture policies that were “hostile”, the Left parties called upon workers, farmers and the general public to actively participate in the nationwide strike to make it a success.

The statement was jointly issued by K. Neela, Secretary of CPI(M), Mahesh Rathod of the CPI, and K.R. Veerabhadrappa, Secretary of SUCI(C).