Intensify agitation for achieving our legitimate demands: GIEAIA to employees, retirees of PSGICs
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ December 20,2024
“We are entering critical times as divisive propaganda take increasingly grotesque forms across the country, threatening the very foundations of democracy. The working class is being fragmented along lines of caste and religion. Those who dare to raise their voices for justice are facing immense challenges in their struggle” said Trilok Singh, General Secretary, GIEAIA in a message to employees, retirees of Public Sector General Insurance Companies.
“The ruling class continues to exploit the working masses, all while strengthening the corporate sector and the capitalists. From demonetization to the lockdowns, the consequences for workers have been devastating. Over the past decade, we have witnessed a rapid erosion of labor rights in India. Anti-labor policies, privatization, and the weakening of labor laws have placed the rights of workers under significant threat” added Singh.
“Today, we face an unprecedented crisis as workers’ rights are systematically dismantled. In both organized and unorganized sectors, workers endure severe exploitation, low wages, poor working conditions, and a lack of social security. Approximately 93% of workers are engaged in the informal sector, often without written contracts or legal protections” said Darshan Kumar, Wadhwa, Secretary General, GIEAIA, Class 1
“India today mirrors the exploitation of the colonial era. Twenty-nine labor laws have been repealed and replaced by four labor codes, which impose virtual slavery on the working class. These codes eliminate workplace inspections, reduce accountability mechanisms for employers, dismantle sector-specific social security schemes, and enforce longer working hours while promoting heavy contractualization. Crucially, the new labor codes strip workers of their right to unionize and engage in collective bargaining. Existing trade unions are under attack, with registered unions being deregistered on flimsy grounds, further weakening the strength of the working masses” added Wadhwa
“The casualization of labor, attacks on trade unions, and growing disregard for worker dignity reflect a system increasingly hostile to the most vulnerable in our society. In these turbulent times, the fight for workers’ rights in India has never been more urgent. Amidst this struggle, AITUC—the mother central trade union—along with central trade unions, federations, and GIEAIA, continues to be a critical voice of resistance for workers across the country” said Trilok Singh
Singh appealed to employees, retirees of PSGICs, “we remain steadfast in our commitment to justice, equality, and a future where the rights of all workers are upheld, and the public sector is safeguarded. GIEAIA has been at the forefront of supporting workers across the country under the banner of central trade unions (CTUs). We call for your support in the ongoing programs of CTUs and farmers’ associations to resist the privatization of PSGICS, oppose 100% FDI in the insurance sector, and achieve our legitimate demands:
*Immediate settlement of the wage revision in PSGICS.*
*Uniform family pension at 30%.*
*14% employer contribution to NPS.*
*Merger and strengthening of all four PSGICS.*
*Establishment of a regulatory body for hospitals and TPAs.*
*Opposition to 100% FDI and privatization in the insurance sector*.
Intensify agitation for achieving our legitimate demands: GIEAIA to employees, retirees of PSGICs. Wadhwa also appealed “Let us continue this fight together with strength and determination”
