Agartala: Nov 21: On Thursday, the All Tripura Unorganized Workers’ Congress organized a mass deputation to the Labor Department in Agartala, protesting against the exploitation of unorganized workers and to raise several pressing demands. The protest began with a procession from the state Congress office, led by Ashish Kumar Saha, the state Congress president, along with other prominent leaders. The procession, which passed through various roads in Agartala, culminated in front of the Labor Department, where a delegation submitted a formal deputation to the Labor Commissioner.
Addressing the media, Ashish Kumar Saha outlined the reasons behind the protest and criticized the state government for its “anti-labor” policies. He pointed out that the government has shut down several workers’ welfare schemes and emptied the accounts of programs intended to provide financial assistance to workers during difficult times. Saha highlighted that workers in the state were severely affected by the floods in August, yet the government had failed to offer any financial aid, even months after the disaster.
The state Congress president also raised concerns over the government’s failure to fulfill its promise of increasing the wages of Rural Employment Guarantee Act (REGA) workers. He further alleged that many unorganized workers have been laid off from various departments, worsening their financial insecurity. Saha emphasized that these actions, along with the overall neglect of workers’ rights, have led to widespread dissatisfaction among the labor force.
The protest was a direct response to the government’s neglect of the rights and welfare of unorganized workers, with the Congress party demanding immediate action to address these issues. The All Tripura Unorganized Workers’ Congress is calling for the restoration of workers’ welfare schemes, an increase in wages, and greater protection for unorganized workers in the state.
