News - #SolidarityWorks! Women protest for the preservation of labour rights and uphold the demands of the Anuhatham Workers' Association. © SAVE 27 May 2020 Drastic labour law restrictions in the wake of the coronavirus crisis – our partner organisations take part in protests Under the guise of the COVID-19 pandemic, basic labour rights in many states of India are to be suspended or softened in order to revive the downturn in economic output. The central unions, workers and the ILO have spoken out against this. The impact of the corona crisis is causing an economic slump in India. After Information provided by the Government manufacturing output has fallen by 20.6% and around 121.5 million workers lost their jobs in April alone. The government's response to this is a Massive curtailment of labour rights in several states: Among other things, Working hours from eight to twelve hours without overtime pay extended, Minimum wages It is no longer obligatory and Formation of employee unions suspended. These amendments may remain in force for up to three years. In some states, social security benefits, including social funds or provisions for the health and safety of female workers, are also to be waived. The concrete Restrictions on labour rights vary between the states. The Uttar Pradesh government, whose cabinet has approved a regulation with drastic restrictions on 38 labour rights for 1000 days, is leading the way. But the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Goa have also announced upcoming easing of labor laws through regulations and have already increased daily working hours to 12 hours. These decisions amount to a massive violation of workers' rights and Violations of International Labour Organization (ILO) labour law conventionsIt was also signed by India. Nationwide protest actions Protest is forming: The central unions of India take a stand in a press statement and call for nationwide protest. State decisions are equivalent to an enslavement of workers and must under no circumstances make the people who are already in great distress due to the virus and the lockdown. The central unions will send a delegation to the ILO to discuss the violation of international labour standards in India. The International Labour Organization (ILO) the Indian authorities are already committed to ensuring that the easing of labour rights is in line with global and international labour standards and is carried out after proper consultation between the government, workers’ and employers’ representatives. Currently, there is already an Action against the actions of the governments of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh at the Supreme Court. Workers of the Anuhatham Association protested for their rights in 30 places in Tiruppur. © SAVE Our partner organisations in India, Cividep/GLU and SAVE, are involved in the protests and resistance in the interests of the workers. SAVE Supports a workers' association called Anuhatham, in which disorganized workers, mostly home workers, come together. As part of the nationwide protest campaign, which was announced for May 22, 2020, they protested at 30 locations in Tiruppur with various demands. Among other things, they demand that the government finally receive aid money and take action against the fact that loan sharks demand ever higher interest rates. Cividep/ GLU They also took part in the protests on 22 May 2020. But the police threatened to prevent the exercise of a democratic right by banning protests. It was threatened that in the event of a protest, serious consequences would come to the union and organization. Nevertheless, a written statement on the reasons for the protest was submitted by the Joint Trade Union Committee (JCTU) to the Supreme Minister and Governor of Karnataka. Developments in India around restrictions on labour rights require global attention. The corona crisis must not be exploited to further expand the precarious situation of workers in the clothing industry.
