Workers Rally Against Labour Codes in Vizag

Workers from various sectors held a motorcycle rally in the city on Monday under the banner of the All-Party Trade Unions, demanding the repeal of the four Labor Codes, withdrawal of the proposed privatization of public sector undertakings, and allotment of captive mines to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

Addressing the workers, CITU State General Secretary Ch. Narasinga Rao said the Union government had replaced 29 labor laws with four labor codes to benefit corporate interests and management. He warned that implementing the codes would deprive workers of their rights.

He said the labor codes would lead to longer working hours, increased workloads, replacement of permanent jobs with fixed-term employment, non-implementation of minimum wages, lack of job security, and inadequate protection for women workers.

Stating that trade unions across sectors had served strike notices, he said preparations were underway to ensure the success of the nationwide general strike on February 12. Banks, insurance, transport, and other sectors would be paralysed, with over 30 crore workers expected to participate.

AITUC district general secretary Atchyutha Rao demanded a minimum wage of ₹26,000 and job security for workers.

CITU district general secretary RKSV Kumar sought recognition of workers engaged under schemes such as ASHA, Anganwadi, the Midday Meal Scheme, VOA, RP, and school sanitation as government employees. He also demanded extension of PF, ESI, and insurance benefits to autorickshaw drivers, construction workers, pushcart vendors, and workers in hospitals and shopping malls.

The rally passed through the RTC Complex, Central Park, Ambedkar statue, Dabagardens, Jagadamba junction, Poorna Market, Town Kotha Road, Police Barracks, Allipuram, and Dondaparthy, before concluding at the Gandhi statue.

Leaders of IFTU, APFTU, CITU, and AITUC participated in the rally.