Kakinada, Feb12 (TNT): As part of a nationwide strike, central trade unions on Thursday brought industrial activity to a standstill in Kakinada, including operations at the port, and staged a dharna in front of the RTC bus station complex.
Tension prevailed briefly when strike organisers attempted to block bus movements, prompting police intervention that led to a minor scuffle. The protesters later staged a sit-in at the Head Post Office, preventing employees from attending work for some time.
The unions also took out an impressive rally through the main streets of the city, raising slogans demanding the scrapping of the four labour codes.
The procession passed through Main Road, Masjid Centre and Balaji Cheruvu Centre before reaching the Collectorate, where it culminated in a public meeting.
Addressing the gathering, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) National Vice-President G. Baby Rani, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) district general secretary Thokala Prasad, Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) State Vice-President J. Venkateswerlu, All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) State leader Chinnabilli Nageswerarao, Rythu Coolie Sangham leader Valluri Rajababu, All India Bank Employees Federation coordination committee leader Adinarayana Murthy, Andhra Pradesh Municipal Staff and Workers Union district general secretary Varma, Retired Employees Association leader Reddy, and YSR Transport Workers Union district president Chekka Chakravarty spoke at length.
The speakers demanded a minimum wage of ₹30,000 for all workers in view of rising prices, withdrawal of the four labour codes which they termed detrimental to workers’ interests, and an end to the privatisation of public sector undertakings.
They also sought rollback of orders increasing working hours, restoration of the old employment guarantee act, issuance of identity cards to tenant farmers, waiver of crop loans and compensation for crop damage.
CITU district working committee members Palivela Virababu and Medisetti Venkataramana; Port Workers Union leaders Suryarao and Kumaraswamy; Anganwadi Workers Union leaders Vijaya and Jyothi; ASHA Workers Union leaders Bharati and Lakshmi; GGH Sanitation Workers Union leader Vijaykumar; MEPMA RP Union leader Vijayalakshmi; Municipal Workers Union district general secretary Tupakula Lakshminarayana; and All India Federation of Trade Unions (AIFTU) district president Madiki Satyam and secretary Kunche Anjibabu were among those who led the stir.
TNT TMR
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