1st May, May Day, the International Day of Working Class, is here again. The May Day is being observed and celebrated through out the world by the workers and other toiling masses. The World Federation of Trade Unions(WFTU), Trade Union International (Pensioners and Retirees) and the Central Trade Unions have given call to observe the day.

The memory of the Martyrs of Chicago, August Spies, Fischer, Engel and Albert Parsons who were hanged by the US government inspire the working class world over. The “The Eight Hour Day Movement” by the Chicago workers and agitating for the same and the Hay Market meeting was the reason for charging the leaders with conspiracy and execution on 11th November 1887.

It is through such struggles and strikes that the working class have been able to achieve many gains and victories. May Day 2021 comes at a time when the working class are facing many challenges. The neo-liberal policies being implemented by the imperialist and capitalist class has created misery and heavy burden on the people. For maximising their profits, the corporates and financiers can go to any length, as we have seen. At the same time struggles are going on in many countries against these anti-people policies.

It is not different in India. The Central Trade Unions are unitedly fighting against the neo-liberal policies of the government. The workers rights are being attacked by the Modi government. The hard won gains of the working class are being snatched away. The struggle to defend the already achieved rights and for further improvement will continue. PSUs are being privatized. Labour rules are amended for more exploitation of the workers.

This year the May Day arrives when the world is reeling under the covid-19 pandemic. More than 15croes have been affected and more than 31 lakhs persons have died. In India, it is more than 18 crores affected and more than 2 lakhs persons died. The second wave is alarming, but the Central Government failed to take urgent actions to make available vaccines, oxygen etc. It is a grim situation. However it has got to be faced and many lives to be saved.

The Central Trade Unions In India have also called for observing the day in a befitting manner maintaining Covid protocol.

MAY DAY GREETINGS TO ALL!

A per the latest policy of the central government, the states will have to purchase covid vaccine from the manufacturers directly at the rate of Rs. 400.

Despite this difficulty, Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister has declared that vaccination will be given free as before, despite huge financial difficulties. Congratulations to Pinarayi Government!

The latest decision of the Central government that the states should directly purchase the Covid vaccine from the manufacturers is almost evading its responsibility to supply vaccine to the states. 50% of the manufactured vaccine is to be supplied to centre at lower rate, while the charge to be paid by the states are Rs.400. This is also discrimination. Private hospitals have to purchase at Rs.600. Earlier the vaccination in private hospitals cost only Rs. 250, which will now be increased to Rs.600 or more.

The central government should take full responsibility to supply vaccine free to the states. The PM Care Fund, which has got huge funds can be utilised for the same.

പ്രായമാകുമ്പോൾ സ്വന്തം ജീവിതത്തെക്കുറിച്ച് ഓർക്കുക സാധാരണം. ഞാനും ആ ബലഹീനതക്ക് അടിപ്പെട്ടിരിക്കുന്നു. ‘സമരം ജീവിതം’ എന്ന എന്റെ പുസ്തകം 2021 ഏപ്രിൽ 27ന്ന് കോവിഡ് മാന ദണ്ഡങ്ങൾ പാലിച്ചു പ്രകാശനം ചെയ്യപ്പെടും. പ്രകാശനം ചെയ്യുന്നത് സി ഐ ടി യു വൈസ് പ്രസിഡന്റ്‌ സ. എ.കെ.പദ്മനാഭൻ. ഉൽഘാടനം ബഹു.തൊഴിൽ വകുപ്പ് മന്ത്രി സ. ടി. പി രാമകൃഷ്ണൻ. പരിപാടി താഴെ കൊടുക്കുന്നു. ഇംഗ്ലീഷിലുള്ള പുസ്തകം മാർച്ച്‌ 22ന്ന് ബാഗ്ലൂരിൽ വെച്ചു പ്രകാശനം ചെയ്യപ്പെട്ടിരുന്നു.നിങ്ങളുടെ പിന്തുണയും ആശംസകളുമായി രുന്നു എന്നും എനിക്ക് വഴികാട്ടി; ഇന്നും.

The Covid spread is increasing every day. For the last few days, the new cases everyday has been more than one lakh. India is only next to US in total number of cases. In such a situation maximum number of people should be vaccinated.

But unfortunately there is acute shortage of vaccine. The central government utterly failed to make available sufficient vaccine. Even vaccine available earlier were exported out of all proportion, with out considering the urgent requirement of the nation.

At least, at this stage the Centre should explore all possibilities to make available sufficient vaccine to all the states.

Covid pandemic situation for more than one year has been a period of extreme difficulties for all, especially to those workers who manage their day to day life with the meagre wages they are getting. This is the sad position of the contract workers of BSNL also.

Out of about one lakh contract workers 60- 70 of them have been retrenched even with out paying their wages for months. Others also have not been paid wages for more than one year. Most of the works they have been doing having been transferred to outsourcing, closing their day to day bread. About 11 or more contract workers have committed suicide unable to feed their families.

Despite continuous demand by the BSNLCCWF, the BSNL management is yet to pay the arrears of wages. The retrenched workers have not been taken back. This is unheard of cruelty to those workers who served BSNL /DOT for years.

We demand the BSNL management to urgently pay their wages and reinstate the retrenched workers.

The senior citizens is one section which is facing acute difficulties due to the covid. They are more vulnerable, many are alone, but no relief from the Central government. Senior Citizens Friends Welfare Association demands the Centre to provide relief of Rs. 7,500 to the old aged till the Covid situation is improved.

This is a valid question which the central government has to answer. There should be strong protest against this injustice to the youth of India.

The Covid situation in India has become vey alarming with more than 2 lakh positive in a day. Hospitals are strained with no vacant beds in many states. Number of deaths are also increasing drastically. More Care, more vaccination, more tests and maximum propaganda and strictness for implementing covid protocol.