Speech by СНЕТТУКАТIL JOSE JOSEPH, National Secretary AITUC. September 7, 2024.
All India Trade Union Congress brings its warmest greetings to this Forum of Trade Unions in BRICS countries. This is a forum that represents nearly half of the work force of the world. In that great and expansive dimension, this trade union conglomeration assumes crucial significance and considerable importance. I once again convey the best wishes of AITUC and wish this Forum great success.
AITUC, the Central Trade Union of India was founded in the year 1920, in the crucible of Indian freedom movement. The quintessence of AITUC is its unwavering commitment to justice and equality. Thirst for liberty, grit against exploitation, resilience in the face of oppression, defiance against injustice drove the revolutionaries in the freedom struggle to form unions to demand rights for the workers. Fight against imperialism echoed in the workers struggle for justice and freedom. Our union has the pride of playing a pioneering role in the freedom movement.
Inspiration for the formation of AITUC indeed came from the international working class struggles happening during the early 20th century. The Bolshevik Revolution's emphasis on workers' rights and socialism inspired Indian trade unionists The revolution which showcased to the world the triumph of socialism paved the way forward for AITUC. The more than 100-year-old trade union remains one of India's largest and the most influential central trade union.
It is very pertinent to mention the significant role that AITUC has played in the formation of ILO and its involvement in shaping the conventions and the constitution of HO particularly those related to labour rights, social security and welfare of the workers.
AITUC is committed to global labour solidarity and believes in international cooperation. We are proud to state that AITUC is the founding member of the World Federation of Trade Unions the revolutionary international trade union federation. With this commitment and responsibility, we are here representing AITUC in this most Important forum.
Origin of BRICS is revolutionary. In the context of 2008 Global Financial Crisis, when the world economy crumbled, the idea of BRICS was conceived to challenge the Western dominance over Bretton Woods multilateral financial institutions. It has now taken on a geopolitical character, aiming to challenge the current world order, which Is dominated by Western powers BRICS is here, believed to foster a more legitimate international system.
The trade union platform of BRICS too therefore bears the significant importance for it represents over 1500 million workers, providing a powerful collective voice on global labour issues. 8RICS countries play a pivotal role in the global economy since they together account for 20% of global GDP Such massive contribution to economy should automatically translate to the collective power of the workers on deciding, the labour rights and policies impactful.
We should discuss to promote solidarity and share learning in order to strengthen ourselves to challenge the neoliberal policies that absolutely have brought deprivation, distress and misery to the working masses. We should discuss to influence the ILO in shaping international labour standards and policies in order to protect our economies and our livelihoods. Decent work, fair wages, safe working conditions and social protection are denied to the workers from the developing south. We must raise our voice against this injustice.
We are here to amplify the voices of the workers who create wealth. We the representatives of workers of the emerging economies shall set our labour standards. We shall demand our space in the WB-IMF-WTO to discuss in a social dialogue promoting tripartite cooperation and conflict resolution.
BRICS is indeed considered a challenge to Western countries challenging the western dominance in trade and finance. The alternative institutions such as the New Development Bunk and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement have made the imperialist North block hostile and jittery.
Promotion of South-South cooperation is anathema to the West that thrives on dividing and fostering trade hostility, thereby increasing more dependence on the international Institutions.
BRICS, with the world’s top oil producers, provides is greater opportunity for the group to influence global energy. Rapid technological advances and increasing integration of global value chain is yet another area that throws a tough challenge to the west.
We would like to share our experience in our own country for la it one year.
We witnessed very fast track developments in all walks of life in political, economic, social and cultural fields of our country. The economy witnessed downward trends with more of small businesses, the manufacturing units and trades getting extinguished with almost 40 percent oi start-ups ending into closures, resulting in increased job loss and unemployment. As of one study 18 lakh industrial units closed causing heavy job loss in last seven years. Not only in manufacturing sector but also the service sector faced heavy job losses. One of the Minister in Central Government in his address in a meeting on 21st August 2024 said that 100 million (10 crore) small retailers would be adversely impacted by E-commerce. We can well imagine the loss It would bring to the educated and skilled employed youngsters. The implementation of fixed term employments are pushing the labour force into uncertainty of livelihood.
Economic Survey 2023-2024 has admitted that 24 million (2crore 40lakh) young potential is ready to work annually. This is other than the unemployed, under-employed and guised employed. The situation is that the undergraduates, postgraduate, PhD holders and other trained cadres in technology are applying for vacancies of loaders, unloaders, chowkidars, safai-karamcharis, constables etc.
The increased prices of almost all essential commodities not only brought miseries to the masses with decreased intakes and rising malnutrition specially amongst women and small children below the age of 5 years, but even the middle classes felt the heat of rising costs of living. The wages/earnings of vast majority of masses are very less adding to their miserable conditions. Economic Survey reported that 90 percent amongst those registered about 30 crores on Eshram portal have less than Rs 10000/- income. This is also an underestimation, as governments' another survey had reported that 90 percent of households in India have less than Rsl0000/- as earning. Almost 90 percent of Indian Labour forces is out of the coverage of any kind of social security.
Government claims that 800 million are being given 5kg of ration, The Finance Minister herself had admitted that 100 million of ration cards could not be issued amongst those who are to be covered under National Food Security Act (NFSA). National Commission on Population has said recently," If a census was to be undertaken now and the NFSA coverage revised accordingly, an estimated 130 million people would be added to the food security net. Even Supreme Court judgement in the case in regard to problems and miseries of Migrant Workers had given specific directions to issue ration cards to 80 million of workers who are among the registered under Eshram but with no ration cards with them. The recent UN report mentioned that 790 million (79crore) Indians cannot afford healthy diet. Number of undernourished stand at (19.46 crore) which is equivalent to population of United Kingdom, as reported in July 2024 UN Report on food Security. Those in such pathetic conditions are the families of unorganised/informal economy workers, agricultural workers and poor marginal farmers.
The education being commercialized and continued trend of closure of government schools lack of resources for government colleges and universities is resulting in private sectors coming In education making it unaffordable for the children of informal economy workers.
Similar policy pursued m the health sector, closure of dispensaries and district hospitals is on the agenda making medical treatment a great burden on common people with increased indebtedness of poor and even middle-income groups. Out of pocket spending on health is pushing 55 million (5.5 crore) Indians to below poverty line every year as per studies Health index falling year after year with budgets on health reducing, at present being meagre 1.3% of GDP.
The attacks on public sector enterprises and public services for privatisation, disinvestment and ultimate sale continued unabated weakening the very bases o f growth and development with self-reliant economy derailed more and more to the advantage of Corporates of Indian and foreign brand.
Inequalities rising with 1% population controlling 40,5% wealth and the 50 percent people in the lowest rung loti with 3 % of wealth. The taxes on corporates reduced, indirect taxes on ordinary citizens increased, the GST from top ten percent collected amounted only 3% while GST collection from lowest 50% collected to the tune of 64.5%. India put to shame with hunger India's index has fallen. The most revealing fact has come to the fore that India is only above 5 most poor countries in health index.
The labour laws are being changed and codified in the name of "Ease of Business" Outsourcing/contractorisation/casualization are the common scenario. The right to strike is under threat if the labour Codes are implemented m India. These Codes are designed that they are exclusive i.e. they throw our substantial number of workers from labour law protections. Occupational Safety and Health is already serious in our country. It would further worsen the situation for workforce
In these new codes, the trade union registration would become difficult, de-recognition of the unions would be made a norm, punishment on employers for labour law violations to be reduced and punishment of union leaders being enhanced.
All these changes and framing of codes were brought without consultations with trade unions and no Indian labour Conference was held for last nine years.
The Central Trade Unions out of the 12 recognised unions at national level have been unitedly fighting for labour rights under the banner of "The platform of Central Trade Unions" for 15 years. The platform of the Central Trade Unions conducted several strikes, organised massive mobilisations and several other forms of actions were adopted.
The unions have also built unity with farmers’ movement and several actions have been organised unitedly. The unions also built up unity with other social movements fighting for democracy and inclusive growth. We are determined to change this course of suppression of workers' collective bargaining rights. Our determined struggle is getting intensified and this could halt several of the anti-worker, anti-farmers and ant- people decisions of the Government
We need to increase our coordination at the level of BRICS Trade Union Forum and in our work in other international trade union organisations and in ILO.
Together we shall fight, and defend the rights of workers and we shall win.
Long live Working-Class Solidarity
Long Live Trade Union Unity