Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 24, 2010:
In protest against escalating prices of essential commodities and violation of the rights of the workers, nine Trade Unions have planned a Nation-wide court arrest of the workers on March 5. Respective State units of the nine Trade Unions, namely MMS, IMTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, AICCTU and UTUC would also mobilise their workers for the court arrest.
Addressing a press conference jointly convened by All Indira Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and Centre for Indian Trade Union (CITU) in this connection at Irabot Bhavan here today, president of AITUC Manipur unit Dr M Nara informed that all the Trade Unions in Manipur would also participate and support in the Nation-wide court arrest on March 5.However, since March 5 is a holiday on account on Halangkar (Holi) in Manipur, the court arrest would be carried out a day later on March 6. He pointed out that rise in prices of essential commodities, violation of labour laws, engagement of workers on contract system thereby leaving them at the mercy of the contractors and failure of public distribution system have given a serious impact on the working class.
It is against such injustice that the protest demonstration is being planned to press for control the price, ensuring the rights of the workers and effective implementation of labour laws.
General secretary of AITUC Manipur unit L Sotinkumar explained that the proposed mass court arrest in accordance to the resolution adopted during the National convention of the workers held at Delhi on September 14, 2009. After the convention, various agitations have been launched and memorandum submitted to the Government of India.
But none of the demands have been implemented, thereby leaving no option for the workers but to court arrest themselves, he lamented.
Informing that the proposed court arrest on March 6 in Manipur would commence with a Wakat Meepham at Keishampat Juncture from 10 am, Sotinkumar disclosed that at around 1 pm, all the workers would proceed towards the jail to court arrest.
Ksh Shanta of Centre for Indian Trade Union demanded that the daily wage of Rs 81.40 being given to the workers in Manipur under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme should be hiked as in other States of the country where the daily wage give is above Rs 100.