IMPHAL, July 10: Police today barred the All India Trade Union Congress, Manipur Branch while taking out a protest rally as part of its nation-wide ‘protest day’ against several policies of the UPA II government.
The rally which started from the Irawat Bhavan was stopped midway along the BT road by the police.
The demonstrators however continued their observation of the day at the Manipur Press Club in the presence of its members and media persons.
Speaking at the observation, Bharatiya Khet Majdoor, general secretary, L Sotinkumar elaborated on the demands of the AITUC.
The demands include check of price hike of essential commodities, increased the monthly wages for MGNREGS to Rs 144 and provision of year-long employment instead of just 100 days and expanding the scheme to the urban areas as well.
The union has also demanded the government to stop employment on contractual basis and to
provide equal facilities between employees under both regular and contractual basis.
Lamenting that those in the unorganized sector are finding it hard to maintain their family on their meagre wages, the union has also demanded the government to fix their minimum remuneration at Rs 10000.
Anganwaddi, ASHA, mid-day meal workers should be brought at par of other employees of the government departments. Further condemning the police action of foiling their protest rally, he termed the police action as undemocratic.
The union further condemned that although the government has recently announced that the Khwairamband keithel will remain open till 9pm, it has failed to consider the meagre amount of remuneration for the sales persons.
They will continued with the demonstration until the government fulfil the demands, he said.
Even though potato was priced at Rs 18 some days back, it has reached Rs 25 per kg after the unannounced blockade along the NH-2 imposed by the Southern Angami Youth.