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India Gazette
7 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Bharat Bandh: Trade Unions accuse Centre of diluting worker rights; demand rollback of new labour codes
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Around 10 Central Trade Unions associated with left-aligned parties, representing over 25 crore Indian workers, along with INDIA bloc parties participated in the Bharat Bandh carried out across the country on Wednesday, demanding a roll back of the new labour codes, bringing back the Old Pension Scheme urging the Centre to ensure that labour rights are protected. Scores of people walked the streets across the country, carrying their trade union flags and slogans, and presented their demands through a 17-point charter. The trade unions have accused the Centre of diluting workers' rights, alleging that the central government is pushing economic reforms without considering the impact on workers. The Bharat Bandh, General Strike was earlier called on May 20, however trade unions decided to defer the call to July 9, keeping in mind the escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir, and India's decisive reply with Operation Sindoor launched on May 7, targeting terrorist bases in Pakistan. Workers across the country, including in Delhi, Odisha, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, presented their demands, with multiple political parties also voicing support for the strike. The protests saw varied responses from people from across the country. As Kerala saw multiple shops shut down, transport services affected, the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu saw bus services resume shortly after today. State-run buses in West Bengal saw their services affected today. Meanwhile, in Bihar, Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) also attended a 'Bihar Bandh' rally, raising the issue of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being carried out in Bihar. Several senior leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, including CPI General Secretary D Raja, CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya, Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram, Kanhaiya Kumar, and Sanjay Yadav, also participated in the protest. Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleged the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is trying to repeat 'voter theft' in Bihar, just like in the Maharashtra assembly elections. 'The way there was vote theft in the Maharashtra elections, a similar attempt is being made in Bihar,' the Congress leader said. Gandhi also raised questions over the rise in voter numbers between the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Maharashtra, alleging that all newly added votes went to the BJP. He claimed that the INDIA alliance's poor performance in the Maharashtra Assembly polls, despite a Lok Sabha majority, prompted a deeper data review that revealed suspicious voting patterns. Notably, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, also present at the rally, criticised the Election Commission of India for its decision to revise electoral rolls, calling it a 'Godi Aayog.' Yadav accused the NDA alliance of using the Election Commission of India to remove the name of 'Bihar's poor people' from the voter list. Congress workers, while participating in the bandh, lay down on the road to block vehicles in Patna. In West Bengal, clashes erupted during the Bharat Bandh rally. In the Naxalbari area, Trinamool Congress (TMC) and trade union leaders clashed with each other. Meanwhile, in Kolkata, the Police removed protesters from the street to allow a bus to pass through. On Bharat Bandh, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said, 'Where was Bharat closed, Bengal was fully operational. Public life was fully normal... There was traffic on the roads... If 10-12 people try to block the road, then what will the police do? They tried to remove them normally...' In Odisha's Bhubaneswar, the ten central trade unions were joined by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD)'s trade wing, 'Biju Shramik Samukhya,' protesting weakened workers' rights. BJD leader Prafulla Samal, while participating in the rally, told ANI, 'The labour organisation of BJD not only supports the protest but has also done the work to make this protest successful... The government at the centre and state is against the workers... The govt has not done anything for the workers... Now they have converted the 44-level law of labour into the four labour codes, which only benefits the owners.' Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader said that this is the 32nd general strike in the history of independent India. 'This will be another historical strike since the last 32 years of the new liberal policy, and it is the 23rd general strike of India... The BJP government has converted four labour codes out of 29 labour laws in the name of ease of doing business. The minimum wage for all categories of workers must be Rs 26,000 per month. For MANREGA, we demand that there should be 200 working days and Rs 600 wage per working day,' the CPI(M) leader said. Congress leader Randeep Surjewala highlighted in Karnataka how over 25 crore protesting workers are carrying out the Bharat Bhand due to the unavailability of jobs in the country. 'Over 25 crore workers and farmer unions are participating (in Bharat Bandh). Bharat Bandh because BJP's new translation is B for 'Band Karo', J for 'Jobs Chheeno' and P for 'Phasad Karvao'... The principal issue is there are no jobs for the young in the country - 30 lakh jobs are vacant, but the government refuses to fill them... The unemployment rate has crossed 30% and at a 45-year high... Budget of MNREGA has stagnated,' Surjewala said in Bengaluru. While in Jharkhand's Ranchi, Congress's Rajesh Thakur said, 'Now people have no work to do, people are now spreading rumours in panic because of how successful the Bharat Bandh yatra was. There is nothing special about who climbed the truck and who did not. It is clear that when we go out for the public interest, then we don't see whose stage it is... BJP workers keep spreading such types of rumours.' On March 18, 2025, before the Trade Unions decided to defer the strike to July 9, the National Convention of Workers, organised by the Central Trade Unions and Independent Sectoral Federations and Associations, adopted a Declaration with a call for a two-month-long campaign to culminate in a Nationwide General Strike on 20th May 2025. The event, organised at Delhi's Pyare Lal Bhawan, had representatives from multiple Central Trade Unions across states, looking to 'resist against the anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-people policies of the BJP government,' according to a statement from the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU). 'Voices rose in unison, in a chorus of condemnation against the central government that deliberately maintains more than a decade long deaf ear to the consistent demands of the Trade Unions on the one side and their collective rejection of its policies on the other,' the statement added. 'The convention sent out a scathing attack on the brazenly pro-corporate policies in favour of the crony capitalists, creation of monopoly and duopoly capitalists that are detrimental to the working people and overall economic well-being of the country,' the statement read on March 18. The Central Government in 2020 codified 29 laws into 4 Codes. The centre said the aim is to ensure workers receive security, along with respect, health, and other welfare measures, with ease. The new labour codes include the Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Code on Social Security, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code. A total of 10 CTU's, including the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC), Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), and the United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) participated in the Bharat Bandh. However, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) did not participate. (ANI)
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Visakhapatnam Port All Trade Unions JAC leaders demand abolition of Labour Codes
Leaders of All Party Trade Unions JAC of Visakhapatnam Port said that the implementation of Labour Codes will deprive workers of their right to go on strike. Once the mandatory strike notice is issued, the Labour officials would admit conciliation after which workers will lose their right to strike. Addressing a media conference here on Monday (July 07), the JAC leaders said the new Labour Codes would also deprive the workers of their right to form into a union to fight for their rights. They alleged that even before the Labour Codes were brought out by the Centre, various experiments were being made for the past 10 years like non-registration of unions formed in various industries by the managements and the government. The Port JAC leaders sought implementation of the Major Ports Wage Agreement made in September 2024 and withdrawal of the Major Port Authorities Amendment Bill, 2025, and withdrawal of the system of leasing of assets of major ports under the National Monetisation Pipeline scheme. Later, the JAC leaders Pothana (AITUC), J. Suribabu (HMS), V.S. Padmanabha Raju (CITU), B. Lakshmana Rao (VDLB), N. Kanaka Rao (CFTUI national president) and Chandu (INTUC) released a poster on the General Strike to be observed all over the country on July 9. They explained that after admission of the conciliation by the Labour officials, any strike by the workers would be treated as 'illegal'. Workers who resort to strike against the guidelines would have to forego their wages for eight days for each day of strike. The union leaders could be jailed apart from cancellation of union registration and recognition. On the other hand, employers who could be jailed for non-payment of PF and ESI to the workers, could no longer be jailed under the new Labour Codes. In the past employers used to comply with the rules as non-payment of PF and ESI could land them in jail. They had to pay at least 50% of the arrears to the workers, to obtain bail. This apart, the Centre has brought out a new law 'Jan Viswas' lifting 180 different punishments prescribed for non-implementation of labour laws under the old rules, they alleged. The Central and State governments have done away with the system of inspection of factories and industries. No law would be implemented without inspection. The existing laws can be amended by Parliament, but the new Labour Codes empower the State governments to amend the codes according to their whims and fancies.
The Irish Sun
31-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Historic seaside town boasts of increase in tourism after £12million revamp – including seafront activity centre
A SMALL seaside town has reported a significant boost in tourism after investing £12 million into revamp work. The regeneration project, most of which was completed at the beginning of the year, saw upgrades to the town centre and seafront. 3 Maryport Harbour in Cumbria has undergone a major regeneration project, boosting tourism in the area Credit: Getty Maryport, which has a population of around 10,865, traces back to medieval times with the Georgian era introducing the town's lighthouse while the Victorian period brought the local railway. By 1845 , the Cumbria port town had established itself as a bustling hub for trade, shipping 300,000 tons of coal along with other imports and exports including iron ore, timber, cattle, and cotton. A century on, the aftermath of the 1926 General Strike and the new deep-water dock in Workington saw the area become a ghost town. Despite a brief reprieve during World War II, the town never fully recovered, with the docks closing to cargo ships in the 1960s. Read More On Seaside Towns In the decades since, the scenic area focused more on its tourism industry. A series of regeneration works have been carried out in Maryport, with some still in progress. Maryport Town Hall underwent a £200,000 renovation and now serves as a community hub as well as housing the Automatic sensors on the building have recorded more than a third increase in footfall since the upgrade began. Most read in News Travel Overall, tourism in the town has increased by 35% since spring 2024. The town hall is located on Senhouse Street, the main route connecting the town centre with the Harbourside and Promenade, all of which have undergone various revamps. The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park A Shopfront Scheme has transformed the look of many properties, attracting new businesses such as retailers, wellness providers, a photography studio, and a banking hub. Meanwhile on the Harbourside, the new Shiver Me Timbers splashpark and play area has been erected. Upgrades have also been made to the Maryport Activity Centre, with new attractions added, including a play area, climbing attractions, a gym, studio spaces, and a café. The new Shipping Brow Gallery and a new skatepark on the Promenade have also boosted footfall in the town. And Maryport's regeneration continues as the Christ Church to Maritime Museum conversion still underway. 'Downtrodden' English ghost town where locals feel 'left behind' being turned into 'vibrant' shopping hub in £9m revamp By Nicole Cherruault A "DOWNTRODDEN" English ghost town is being turned into a "vibrant" shopping hub in a £9million revamp. The town in northern Manchester set to totally transform as the More than 600 people were consulted over renovation plans in Eccles, Salford and work has now started on demolishing the town's shopping centre, which was suffering from falling visitors numbers. Following the demolition stage, a development partner will be appointed to bring new life to what residents described as a "downtrodden" town, reports The objective, the council said, is to create a "vibrant" and a "fit for purpose" centre for people to enjoy. Attracting more independent retailers, and new bars and cafes are among the council's top priorities. And just three miles from Salford Quays and Manchester city centre, the redevelopment project looks set to transform the area into a buzzing place for young professionals and business owners. This comes as locals despaired over the ailing town, saying they felt it had been "left behind" and it was in desperate need of some "drastic" improvements. The council stressed that the demolition work will be a long process, with the initial phase due only to be completed by the end of the year. However, Councillor Mike McCusker reassured locals that despite the renovations, the town centre "remains open for business", stressing that the works only affect a few areas. He said: 'Whilst we work on the town centre of the future, today's town centre remains open for business,' said Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford council. 'I want to stress that this demolition work only affects certain parts of the town centre. 'The shops and businesses on Church Street are still open for business and unaffected by this work.' Meanwhile, Councillor McCusker, who represents the Eccles ward, shared his enthusiasm for the project, in particular for its focus on the local community. In a statement, he spoke of his "excitement" for the times ahead in materialising their vision for a brighter, more dynamic Eccles. He said 'Through our purchase of the shopping centre, we were able to put the future of the town centre in the hands of the council and the community. 'It has enabled us to begin this important and long-overdue programme of work, to deliver the vision we have developed with the community. 'The demolition work will take some time, but there are exciting times ahead for Eccles as we work to bring this vision to life.' The work will see the historic Christ Church transformed into a new Maritime Museum, with an expected opening later this year. And a former cinema is also being converted into a cultural hub, with an opening date expected early next year. Leader of Cumberland Council, Councillor Mark Fryer spoke about the boost the work has given the town. "When Maryport Maritime Museum opens in Christ Church, the former Carlton Cinema becomes a cultural hub, and the new café opens on the Promenade there will be even more reasons to visit," he said. "I am very pleased to see that footfall is already on the up - even before the summer tourist season. 3 Maryport Harbour was previously a bustling hub before the area became a 'ghost town' in the 20th century Credit: Getty "This is great for the local economy which is the whole point of this work.' Other attractions in the town include the Lake Distict Coast Aquarium at Maryport Harbour, which reportedly boasts more than 2,000 specimens in over 75 display tanks. Family tickets are available from just £26. And while the town has a mixed shingle and sand beach that disappears during high tide, its bay is still recognised as a good spot for windsurfing and kite-surfing. Visitors can also enjoy the stunning views of the Solway estuary at all times of the year. 3 Maryport Activity Centre has been fully refurbished, with new upgrades including climbing walls, play areas, and a cafe Credit: Maryport Town Council
Scottish Sun
31-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Historic seaside town boasts of increase in tourism after £12million revamp – including seafront activity centre
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SMALL seaside town has reported a significant boost in tourism after investing £12 million into revamp work. The regeneration project, most of which was completed at the beginning of the year, saw upgrades to the town centre and seafront. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Maryport Harbour in Cumbria has undergone a major regeneration project, boosting tourism in the area Credit: Getty Maryport, which has a population of around 10,865, traces back to medieval times with the Georgian era introducing the town's lighthouse while the Victorian period brought the local railway. By 1845 , the Cumbria port town had established itself as a bustling hub for trade, shipping 300,000 tons of coal along with other imports and exports including iron ore, timber, cattle, and cotton. A century on, the aftermath of the 1926 General Strike and the new deep-water dock in Workington saw the area become a ghost town. Despite a brief reprieve during World War II, the town never fully recovered, with the docks closing to cargo ships in the 1960s. In the decades since, the scenic area focused more on its tourism industry. A series of regeneration works have been carried out in Maryport, with some still in progress. Maryport Town Hall underwent a £200,000 renovation and now serves as a community hub as well as housing the local council. Automatic sensors on the building have recorded more than a third increase in footfall since the upgrade began. Overall, tourism in the town has increased by 35% since spring 2024. The town hall is located on Senhouse Street, the main route connecting the town centre with the Harbourside and Promenade, all of which have undergone various revamps. The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park A Shopfront Scheme has transformed the look of many properties, attracting new businesses such as retailers, wellness providers, a photography studio, and a banking hub. Meanwhile on the Harbourside, the new Shiver Me Timbers splashpark and play area has been erected. Upgrades have also been made to the Maryport Activity Centre, with new attractions added, including a play area, climbing attractions, a gym, studio spaces, and a café. The new Shipping Brow Gallery and a new skatepark on the Promenade have also boosted footfall in the town. And Maryport's regeneration continues as the Christ Church to Maritime Museum conversion still underway. 'Downtrodden' English ghost town where locals feel 'left behind' being turned into 'vibrant' shopping hub in £9m revamp By Nicole Cherruault A "DOWNTRODDEN" English ghost town is being turned into a "vibrant" shopping hub in a £9million revamp. The town in northern Manchester set to totally transform as the council launches a multi-million pound "vision for change" after locals complained the town felt "left behind". More than 600 people were consulted over renovation plans in Eccles, Salford and work has now started on demolishing the town's shopping centre, which was suffering from falling visitors numbers. Following the demolition stage, a development partner will be appointed to bring new life to what residents described as a "downtrodden" town, reports Manchester Evening News. The objective, the council said, is to create a "vibrant" and a "fit for purpose" centre for people to enjoy. Attracting more independent retailers, and new bars and cafes are among the council's top priorities. And just three miles from Salford Quays and Manchester city centre, the redevelopment project looks set to transform the area into a buzzing place for young professionals and business owners. This comes as locals despaired over the ailing town, saying they felt it had been "left behind" and it was in desperate need of some "drastic" improvements. The council stressed that the demolition work will be a long process, with the initial phase due only to be completed by the end of the year. However, Councillor Mike McCusker reassured locals that despite the renovations, the town centre "remains open for business", stressing that the works only affect a few areas. He said: 'Whilst we work on the town centre of the future, today's town centre remains open for business,' said Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford council. 'I want to stress that this demolition work only affects certain parts of the town centre. 'The shops and businesses on Church Street are still open for business and unaffected by this work.' Meanwhile, Councillor McCusker, who represents the Eccles ward, shared his enthusiasm for the project, in particular for its focus on the local community. In a statement, he spoke of his "excitement" for the times ahead in materialising their vision for a brighter, more dynamic Eccles. He said 'Through our purchase of the shopping centre, we were able to put the future of the town centre in the hands of the council and the community. 'It has enabled us to begin this important and long-overdue programme of work, to deliver the vision we have developed with the community. 'The demolition work will take some time, but there are exciting times ahead for Eccles as we work to bring this vision to life.' The work will see the historic Christ Church transformed into a new Maritime Museum, with an expected opening later this year. And a former cinema is also being converted into a cultural hub, with an opening date expected early next year. Leader of Cumberland Council, Councillor Mark Fryer spoke about the boost the work has given the town. "When Maryport Maritime Museum opens in Christ Church, the former Carlton Cinema becomes a cultural hub, and the new café opens on the Promenade there will be even more reasons to visit," he said. "I am very pleased to see that footfall is already on the up - even before the summer tourist season. 3 Maryport Harbour was previously a bustling hub before the area became a 'ghost town' in the 20th century Credit: Getty "This is great for the local economy which is the whole point of this work.' Other attractions in the town include the Lake Distict Coast Aquarium at Maryport Harbour, which reportedly boasts more than 2,000 specimens in over 75 display tanks. Family tickets are available from just £26. And while the town has a mixed shingle and sand beach that disappears during high tide, its bay is still recognised as a good spot for windsurfing and kite-surfing. Visitors can also enjoy the stunning views of the Solway estuary at all times of the year.
