Varied views were expressed in an open debate on labour market policies in Uttarakhand organised at Doon University by its Department of Economics. The open depate saw participation of representatives from all major trade unions in the State.
Initiating the interaction, faculty member Siba Sankar Mohanty gave an overview of the conditions of labourers in the era of liberalisation and congratulated the union leaders for the demands raised in recent nationwide labour strike. Highlighting the charter on upscaling of the minimum wage, he stressed that the Indian economy is a demand constrained economy and an increase in wages would certainly boost up the economy in coming days.
Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Uttarakhand secretary Govind Singh Bisht blamed increasing crime and deterioration of moral values for the downfall of standard of living in Indian society and stressed on adhering to the essence of “Ram Rajya” for reviving the well-being of the working class.
Doiwala MlA and Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) leader Hira Singh Bisht alleged that the anti-worker policies of NDA government at the Centre was a major cause of concern for the working class. He counted the legacy of Jawaharlal Nehru and his successors in Congress for providing much needed social security for the working class of the country. Alleging that the current Central Government was a regime serving the interests of the exploitative corporate sector, he questioned the legitimacy of the government accusing it of seeking reversal of the legal protections for the working class. He credited ND Tiwari for developing the industrial backbone of Uttarakhand during his tenure as the chief minister. He also praised the present chief minister Harish Rawat for maintaining the legacy and providing financial as well as protective cushion to the workers by announcing regular tenure for contract workers after a period of five years.
Representatives of the left wing trade unions- Virendra Bhandari (CITU), Samar Bhandari (AITUC) and Vijay Rawat, former CITU general secretary- criticised both BJP and Congress led governments in Uttarakhand for growing labour distress, mass-poverty and migration of youth in the State. They stressed that the recent labour strike should make it clear that the working class of the nation would not remain a passive recipient of the wrong policies of the government.
Delivering the vote of thanks, faculty member Madhu Bisht said that the Department of Economics would continue engagements with policy makers through more such open discussion and interaction on public policies. A large number of students and experts were also among those present on the occasion.