Thousands take part in rally to support ITI workers

NT Correspondent

Thousands of people in Bengaluru joined the ‘ITI Corporate Office Chalo’ protest rally in solidarity with ITI workers who have been sitting in protest seeking reinstatement of employment for the past 69 days.

Organised by All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) and several other organisations, the program was inaugurated by leaders of the Dalit movement, Farmers movement, Women’s movement among others.

Shri Mavalli Shankar, convener of Dalita Sangharsh Samiti, said, “It is unfortunate that the workers, a majority of whom belong to the Dalit community, are being refused work! This issue is not only about the workers of ITI, it is reflective of what is happening in this country. Contract labour is nothing but a form of bonded labour. We will together intensify this struggle against this form of slavery.”

Byareddy, President, Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha and Convener of Samyukta Harota said “Workers here have worked for several years, several decades, but are paid such low wages. Workers have worked in the borders of the country, but are treated this way. Dr Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh and Mahatma Gandhi fought for the right to unionize. Today the ITI Management is acting worse than the British Government. This is not only about 80 workers. This is a challenge that all of us - the working class, the farmers movement and the Dalit movement will take up together. Like the farmers’ struggle which won, this struggle will also be taken forward till victory.”

Gowramma of Janawadi Mahila Sanghatane expressed her solidarity and said, “ITI has seen several protests over the years. Today is a historical struggle. The workers in protest are showing their strength and grit and challenging the ITI Management which is so exploitative!”

K.V. Bhat, state convener of Joint Committee of Trade Unions said that the refusal of employment to 80 ITI workers is an assault on the entire working class. “Workers are an integral part of the company. Today these workers have been refused employment, tomorrow several others will suffer the same fate,” he said.