CITU plans indefinite Delhi protest starting December 1 over labour codes, seeks Rs 42,000 minimum wage

Guwahati: The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) will launch an indefinite protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi from December 1, demanding the repeal of the labour codes and stronger protection of workers’ rights.

Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi, Karnataka on November 2, CITU state unit president S. Varalakshmi said more than one lakh workers from across the country are expected to join the agitation. Around 40,000 travel tickets have already been booked by workers from Karnataka and other states, she said.

Referring to Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and livelihood, Varalakshmi said the conditions of unorganised and daily-wage workers continue to deteriorate.

Citing National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, she said 52,910 suicides among unorganised and daily-wage workers were reported in 2024.

She also raised concerns over malnutrition and poor health indicators, citing stunted growth among 29% to 35.5% of children and anaemia among 57% of women.

Varalakshmi alleged that workers protesting violations of livelihood rights and workplace deaths are being victimised through dismissals, criminal cases and arrests. She said such measures undermine democratic rights.

CITU said the agitation would press for protection of workers’ livelihoods, social security and democratic rights.

The union’s demands include repeal of the labour codes, recognition of scheme workers as workers entitled to statutory benefits, a minimum monthly wage of Rs 42,000 and a monthly pension of Rs 21,000. It has also called for comprehensive social security for unorganised-sector workers.

Other demands include filling vacant posts, regularising contract workers, ensuring equal pay for equal work, improving workplace safety, and protecting water, land and forests. The union has also sought land cultivation certificates for bagair hukum cultivators.

CITU has further demanded the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.