An avente-garde political thinker and veteran trade unionist, an ardent champion of the working class, Mayadhar Nayak has been engaged in an incessant struggle to uphold the dignity of the complaining millions of workers in the State. He wants an egalitarian and emancipated labour force for a vibrant nation and never believes in a hocus pocus labourers’ India. In an interview to The Pioneer, he spoke to Sugyan Choudhuy on the many issues and prevailing conditions of the working class.
How do you define the labour class and how do you indentify them apartIJ
The essential prerequisites of every man are food, clothing and shelter. These millions of people who are engaged in making these things available to us are unmistakably the labour class. All the wealth, riches, works and achievements in this world are rendered possible by these toiling millions. A continuous conflict among the labour and the capital is going on to claim ownership over the production and profit. Hence, the position of the working class is indispensable for the growth and development of a country without which no nation can thrive.
How do you look at the present plight of the working class people worldwideIJ
With the advancement of civilisation sociology and social science, the exploitation of the working class is not yet over in the world. On the contrary, the exploitation has taken different forms. The invention of new technologies like computer and other gadgets have reduced the employment opportunity to an all-time low. Capitalism has taken a new shape and a new dimension even after the universalisation, globalisation and privatisation. The complaining millions of labour class are exploited under the curtain of rules and regulations, which are practically redundant for them.
What are your opinions with regard to the prevailing condition of labour class in IndiaIJ
The basic problem before the working class is food, clothing and shelter as I have told you earlier. To achieve this, they need suitable employment with adequate wages. If we want a developed India, we have to look at the basic problems of the working class with proper understanding in order to liberate them from poverty and exploitation. A strong and vibrant India rests mostly on the shoulders of the working class. In my opinion, the prevailing working conditions and rules are still inadequate and too cumbersome to deliver any good to them.
What are the prevailing laws meant for working class and how are they functioning in their interestIJ
The working class is kept in waiting for years to get justice since the rules and Acts governing them are cumbersome. The labour laws need a thorough overhauling in order to suit to the benefit of the working class. Besides, the 44 numbers of Central Acts, there are innumerable State laws. But factory owners and capitalists are still engaged in internecine conflicts and exploitation making the lives of labourers more miserable. In this connection, I want to say that five essential and indispensable labour laws are to be galvanised to build a prosperous labour force which would consequently contribute in making a new India. They are Minimum Wage Act, Factory Act, Mines Act, Child labour Act and Provident Fund Act. On the contrary, the new Industrial Policy, new Economic Policy are aiming at privatising public sector institutions with a view to enriching and enhancing the interest of the capitalist class and corporate houses at the cost of the labour class. These laws are denounced as black ones by thinkers and sociologists all over the world.
Do you think the working class’s problems will be solved if their wages are enhancedIJ
No, just by enhancing the wages, workers’ lives will not improve. There should be a balance or equilibrium in the market price. The skyrocketing of prices of the essential commodities are hitting the working class hard. If the inflation is contained and prices remain reasonable then the working class will have smooth sailing. Even though they are getting a handsome salary today yet they are unable to maintain their family and domestic economy owing to steep hike in prices.
What is your opinion regarding trade union movement and leadership in OdishaIJ
Trade union means the activities intended to safeguard the interests of workers by organising them to fight against exploitation and tyranny of the business houses and owners. Another distinguishing characteristic of the trade union is to educate, aware and ennoble them about their rights and duties. But what happens today is a matter of shame and pity that in spite of fulfilling their desired tasks, the trade unions are enticing the working class towards economic opportunism. The business houses are creating a middleclass elite group from the working class those who are bent on protecting the interest of the owners rather than those of the workers. The trade unions despite being labour-centric in character are more seen as capital-centric, for which the interest of the working class is in danger today.
What is your message for the future of the working classIJ
My message is simple and clear. Theory without practice is sterile and practice without theory is blind; both theory and practice going together is green. The true colour of working class revolution was blood-red, but with passage of time its colour will assume green. The revolution which precipitated as an industrial one must meet and merge in the greeneries and granaries of the fields, lest our planet is bound to perish for want of food. Today, we are at a crossroads. A happy marriage of the industrial and agrarian revolution shall banish poverty and unemployment from this world. A trend in this direction by all should start commencing without any further delay. To achieve this Eldorado, we should fear neither hardship nor death.