Left-wing organisations in Assam expressed full support today for the nationwide general strike called by central trade unions for February 12, announcing a state‑wide “chakka bandh” by motor workers as part of the protest. Speaking at a joint press conference at the Guwahati Press Club, representatives of SFI, DYFI, CITU, AIDWA, the Assam Agricultural Workers’ Union and the Assam State Farmers’ Sabha sharply criticised both central and state policies they said target farmers, workers, youth, women and students.
Speakers at the conference alleged that the central government has abandoned public interest in favour of corporate allies by consolidating 29 labour laws into four new labour codes. They warned the new regime grants employers “hire-and-fire” powers for establishments with up to 300 employees, promotes fixed‑term contracts at the expense of permanent jobs, extends workdays from eight to 12 hours and removes limits on overtime — measures the organisers said would push workers into near‑medieval conditions.
The unions also condemned an alleged reduction in employee provident fund (EPF) contributions from 12% to 10%, which they called a government‑backed financial robbery. They framed these changes as part of a broader rollback of worker protections that undermines long‑term social security for labourers.
On agriculture and rural livelihoods, the groups claimed the government has scrapped the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme and introduced the “Viksit Bharat – Employment and Livelihoods Mission (Rural) Bill, 2025.” They said the bill shifts the wage burden from the Centre to states by changing funding from 100% central support to a 60:40 split, imposing extra strain on state budgets. Delegates also raised concerns about farmers being forced to dump potatoes due to lack of remunerative prices and accused the government of undermining domestic producers by allowing zero‑duty imports of agricultural goods from the United States.
The press conference levelled strong criticism at the state education sector, alleging that nearly 10,000 mother‑tongue medium schools have been closed under the current BJP administration. They said declining standards, the diversion of teachers to non‑teaching duties and other policies have prompted large numbers of students to drop out — citing that of 90,000 students enrolled under a free admissions drive last year, some 28,000 left college within six months.
Speakers further alleged a corrupt nexus in Assam involving the chief minister, the chief minister’s business family and certain officials, which they said has enabled corporate capture of agricultural land and public resources. They questioned the government’s claim of creating 135,000 jobs and demanded a white paper listing the names, roll numbers and registration numbers of all appointed candidates.
The left organisations said the February 12 strike will be a united response to what they described as systemic exploitation and plunder. They urged people across the state to actively participate in the protest to resist what organisers called authoritarian, anti‑people policies.
Original Source: https://assam.nenow.in/the-strike-will-be-held-on-february-12-in-protest-against-the-governments-looting-and-anti-people-policies/
Category: অসম,শীর্ষ সংবাদ
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Publish Date: 2026-02-10 20:06:00
