“Justice for workers is justice for society. No democracy can survive if its workers are exploited.” – Shri Rajaram Singh, MP

Workers Unite Against Exploitative Contract Labour System: A Call for Justice and Dignity

Bengaluru: The exploitative contract labour system came under fierce condemnation today at the “Conference Against the Exploitative Contract Labour System,” where public sector contract workers and union leaders united to demand fair and permanent employment for all workers. The event witnessed impassioned speeches, testimonies of struggle, and a resolute call for change.

Workers from prestigious institutions such as HAL, NIMHANS, NAL, NIRM, and DRDO shared their harrowing experiences of exploitation under the contract labour system. They highlighted how the system deprives them of basic rights, dignity, and equal pay, despite years—often decades—of dedicated service.

Shri Rajaram Singh, Member of Parliament (CPI-ML) and Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles, and Skill Development, delivered a powerful address to the workers. “Your struggle outside is a beacon of hope, and we stand with you. We will raise your voice in Parliament and fight to ensure your rights. How can a worker serving for over 30 years still be labeled as a contract worker? This is a blatant violation of Constitutional principles. The State must remember its duty as a welfare state,” he declared. He also underscored the inseparable link between fighting labour exploitation and protecting democracy and the Constitution.

Voices of Struggle and Resilience

• Shri Chandrashekhar, Working Secretary of HACWA, detailed the exploitative conditions faced by workers in HAL. He demanded the immediate regularization of all contract workers, emphasizing the unfairness of the current system.

• Hemanth Kumar, President of KGLU ITI Unit, recounted the ongoing three-year struggle of terminated workers who were punished for unionizing and asserting their rights. He condemned the continued denial of justice to workers fighting for basic dignity.

• Smt. Noor Jahan, representing the KGLU DRDO unit, shared a chilling account of extortion faced by workers, where contractors forced them to give up a quarter of their salaries. She condemned the inhumane treatment of safai karamcharis, many of whom were terminated for daring to raise their voices. “We will not rest until justice is served, and we continue our fight with unwavering resolve,” she said.

• Workers from the NIMHANS Pragathipara Workers Union spoke about being relegated to “contract worker” status despite performing core and essential tasks. A particular focus was placed on the plight of women workers who endured inadequate facilities and discriminatory treatment.

• Shri Krishnamurthy, Vice President of the KGLU NIRM Unit, highlighted the grim reality of workers who, after serving for over 30 years, are still denied basic rights under the guise of being contract workers.

A United Call for Change

The conference culminated in a collective resolution to abolish the exploitative contract labour system and demand the permanent employment of all workers. The resolution also called for fair and dignified working conditions, equal pay for equal work, and the recognition of workers’ fundamental rights.

As the conference concluded, the unified voices of the workers echoed through the hall: “We will fight this injustice together—inside Parliament and on the streets—until every worker is treated with the dignity they deserve.”

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Quotes from the Conference

• “Justice for workers is justice for society. No democracy can survive if its workers are exploited.” – Shri Rajaram Singh, MP
• “A worker is not a commodity. After decades of service, being labeled as ‘contract labour’ is a betrayal of their rights.” – Hemanth Kumar, KGLU ITI Unit
• “Freedom and dignity in the workplace are not privileges; they are rights enshrined in the Constitution.” – Smt. Noor Jahan, KGLU DRDO Unit
• “The fight to abolish the contract labour system is a fight to uphold the principles of justice and equality in our democracy.” – Shri Chandrashekhar, HACWA