The unions, in a detailed statement released from Delhi on January 24, articulated their primary demand for the withdrawal of the penal provisions under the BNS that address hit-and-run incidents.
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In an unprecedented move, eight prominent unions representing truck drivers and transport workers across India have declared their support for the industrial and rural strikes scheduled for February 16. This collective action, endorsed by both the Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), aims to challenge the contentious provisions within the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to hit-and-run cases.
The unions, in a detailed statement released from Delhi on January 24, articulated their primary demand for the withdrawal of the penal provisions under the BNS that address hit-and-run incidents. This announcement marks a continuation of their previous cessation of work earlier in the month, which was met with assurances from the Centre. The government had promised that sections 106(1) and (2) of the BNS, which specifically deal with hit-and-run cases, would only be enacted following comprehensive consultations with the representatives of the transport workers.
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In their declaration, the unions also voiced a strong demand for the establishment of a separate social security legislation tailored specifically for workers within the unorganized road transport sector.
“We appeal to all other organisations functioning in the Road Transport sector to participate in the strike,”
the unions stated, signaling a call to unity and collective action within the industry.
Simultaneously, the SKM and CTUs have extended their appeal for support to all organizations and platforms that share their concerns, emphasizing the critical need for solidarity in the face of what they describe as “corporate, communal and authoritarian attack on the people under the Modi Government.”
The joint statement highlighted the urgency of defending the foundational values of Democracy, Federalism, Secularism, and Socialism, which are enshrined in the Constitution of India.
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Moreover, the appeal underscored the necessity of coordinated action to combat “religious fanaticism and jingoism,” aiming to refocus the national discourse on the real livelihood issues facing the populace. This call to action represents a significant moment of unity among various sectors and organizations, all converging on the date of February 16 to voice their dissent and demand changes that reflect the interests and well-being of the broader Indian workforce.
As the date of the strike approaches, the collective resolve of the transport unions, alongside the backing of the CTUs and SKM, underscores a pivotal moment in India’s labor movement. Their demands for the reevaluation of the BNS provisions and the call for enhanced social security measures for unorganized workers reflect a broader struggle for rights and recognition within the nation’s rapidly evolving socio-economic landscape.
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