Assam: Trade union stages protest against amendments in labour act

Hundreds of trade union activists staged a protest against the amendments in the labour act on May 23, 2020 in Jorhat district in Assam. The protest was staged as a part of the call of the Central Union for a nationwide protest.

The activists of the Jorhat wing of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) staged the protest by maintain social distancing. The protestors also took out a rally.

The activists sent a memorandum in the matter to the Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal through the deputy commissioner of the district.

Also read: Assam: With 53 new COVID-19 cases, state tally crosses 300

The Central government has increased the working hours of the workers from eight hours to 12 hours by amending the 219-year-old company act. The protestors demanded the government to withdraw the decision.

The protestors also condemned the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government’s move to privatize the banks and public sector companies.

The Assam wing of the CITU on May 11 staged a protest against the state cabinet’s recent decision to increase the working hours of the workers.

The agitators staged protests holding placards and raising slogans against the amended labour act.

It may be mentioned that the state Commerce and Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary on May 8 said that the owners of the companies may increase the working hours from 8 hours to 12 hours for the workers.

This has drawn strong resentment among the workers of different companies across the state.

However, no gazette notification has been issued for the amendments in the lanbour act.

Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

Download:

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.