'GoI dithering on promises': Central TUs back farmers' Black Day move for Jan 31

By A Representative
Declaring its decision to back the proposal of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) to observe January 31, 2022 as A Day of Betrayal, the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions, in association with several independent sectoral federations and associations, has said that the Government of India (GoI) "seems to be dithering on the promises made to the SKM in writing."
The Joint Platform includes Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC ), Hind Mazdur Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Trade Union Coordination Committee (TUCC), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), United Trade Union Congress (UTUC), Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA).
The promises from which the GoI appears to be backing out, says a statement issued by the Joint Platform, include "formation of a committee to look into the question of legal guarantee for MSP for agricultural produce, withdrawal of Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2021, and sacking of Ajay Mishra Teni, the alleged perpetrator of Lakhimpur Kheri atrocity."
In fact, regrets the statement, NarendraTomar, Agricultural Minister, has shamelessly said “we can always enact the laws again”, adding, hence "the decision to observing January 31 as “A Day of Betrayal is correct and this GoI needs to be told that their act of betrayal will not go unnoticed."
According to the statement, "We have been keenly following the developments since the announcement of repeal of farm laws by the Prime Minister on November 19, 2021. While the common reaction was that of elation at the announcement, the SKM had taken a cautious stand that though the dharna at Delhi borders was being lifted, many more, equally important demands remain to be fulfilled and future course of action will be decided on the steps the Government takes in the matter."
It adds, "We also thank the SKM for their decision to back the nation-wide strike call given by us for February 23-24, 2022 against the anti-labour, anti-people and anti-national policies comprising of wholesale privatisation of national assets and pushing the labour codes.
We call upon our unions all over India to extend their solidarity support in all possible manner for observing January 31 as black day."

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