The following joint statement was issued to the press by the Joint Platform of the Central Trade Unions and Samyukta Kisan Morcha on 04th March 2021
Workers and Farmers organisations meet to consolidate efforts of unity in action
The Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) in their joint meeting held on 1st March decided to coordinate time to time for joint action programmes in the coming days to strengthen the evolving unity between workers and farmers (Mazdoor Kisan Ekta). There was appreciation of the fact that the farmers had extended their solidarity to the call of trade unions on 26th November and the consistent support including solidarity actions by the Joint Platform of CTUs to all the agitation programmes called upon by the SKM from 26th November onwards. They were in agreement that there is need for intensification of their struggle to save the land of the farmers, to stop contract farming and amendment to Essential Commodity Act as well as Electricity Amendment Bill in the national interest. They firmly believed in the legalizing and ensuring Minimum Support Price to the farmers produce. The trade unions apprised SKM representatives about the dangers of govt. decisions of privatisation of Public Sector Enterprises to India’s sovereignty over the National assets and natural resources and the grievous impact of the four labour codes on the workers of the country. The four Codes take away the right of forming unions and protection of the working people from exploitation and excluding workers from existing social security schemes and workplace safety norms Both the sides reported that the hated enactments affecting them were passed without following democratic process of consultations and even transparent parliamentary process.
They affirmed that the corporate loot of farmers and working masses through usurping land and other national resources is a big challenge as the Government is taking position in favour of corporate loot.
It has been decided to unitedly observe 15th March as Anti Privatisation Day, by holding demonstrations near/before railway stations. The SKM has also extended support to the strike actions of the banks on 15-16 March and GIC unions on 17th March, and Life Insurance Unions on 18th March.
The trade unions would extend their support to blockade of Kundli–Manesar–Palwal (KMP) Expressway for five hours announced by Samyukta Kisan Morcha along with flying black flags atop houses on 6th March 2021 and all the other programmes decided by the SKM
The joint platform of Central Trade Unions
(INTUC AITUC HMS CITU AIUTUC TUCC SEWA AICCTU LPF UTUC)
Samyukta Kisan Morcha
(Joint Morcha of various farmers Organisations)