Veteran TU leader Sher Singh adopted innovative approach to labour activism

By Harsh Thakor* 

Sher Singh, a prominent trade union leader known for his dedication to the working-class movement, passed away on January 25th at the age of 75. His death marks a significant loss for the labour movement in Faridabad and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi. Singh was widely recognized for his relentless efforts in advocating for workers' rights and his innovative approach to labour activism.  

For over four decades, Sher Singh was the driving force behind Faridabad Mazdoor Samachar, a monthly newspaper he published continuously since 1982. The publication focused on the lives and struggles of daily wage workers, offering a platform to address their concerns. Singh and his colleagues distributed the newspaper in industrial areas such as Faridabad, Okhla, Kapashera, and Manesar, engaging directly with labourers to understand and amplify their voices.  

Faridabad Mazdoor Samachar was notable for its consistency and grassroots focus. For over 30 years, Singh ensured its monthly publication and distribution, often personally delivering copies to workers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the newspaper ceased publication, Singh shifted his efforts to documenting and sharing material from past issues via WhatsApp. He also traveled across India, interacting with workers and documenting their experiences.  

Sher Singh’s ideological approach to the labour movement was rooted in challenging the wage system and advocating for workers' self-organization. He critiqued the increasing working hours, early retirement policies, and the broader culture of exploitation in industrial settings. His work emphasized the importance of workers' autonomy and the need for formal and informal workers to unite and share their experiences.  

Singh was critical of the bureaucratic structures within established trade unions and sought to inspire alternative approaches to labour organizing. He rejected personality cults within unions and advocated for a model of collective action based on dialogue and collaboration, encapsulated in his slogan: “Synergy, Exchange, Dialogue. Invitation.”  

One of Sher Singh’s significant contributions was his involvement in the Maruti workers' movement. During the 2011 sit-in strike at Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar plant, Singh played a key role in fostering solidarity between permanent and temporary workers. His reporting and advocacy highlighted the workers' efforts to challenge corporate and governmental control over the factory.  

Sher Singh’s legacy extends beyond his immediate work. A documentary titled *Many Straws Make a Nest: A Documentary about Proletarian Unrest in Delhi's Industrial Belt*, made by his German colleagues, chronicles his contributions to the labour movement. His writings, including the pamphlet *A Ballad Against Work*, explore the evolving nature of employment and workers' resistance to exploitation.  

Sher Singh’s passing leaves a void in the labour movement, but his decades of dedication and innovative approaches to workers' struggles continue to inspire activists and workers alike.  

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*Freelance journalist