A broad coalition of trade unions, worker representatives, labour rights activists and concerned citizens has submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, demanding a revision of minimum wages towards living wages, stricter enforcement of labour laws, and the withdrawal of criminal cases filed against protesting workers and trade union leaders.
Prepared by the Asangathit Shramik Hit a Rakshak Manch (Forum for the Protection of Unorganized Workers' Rights), the memorandum, submitted through the Ahmedabad Collector, argues that recent labour unrest across India's industrial belts reflects deep structural problems arising from stagnant wages, unsafe working conditions, growing contractualisation, and weak enforcement of labour protections.
The signatories highlighted the plight of construction workers, describing them as one of the most neglected segments of India's workforce. The memorandum notes that construction workers continue to face hazardous working conditions, wage insecurity, inadequate social security, and poor living conditions despite existing legal protections. It also cites RTI data indicating that nearly 100 construction workers have died annually in workplace accidents in Gujarat over the last sixteen years.
According to the memorandum, workplace accidents caused by falls from heights, electrocution, and structural collapses continue to claim hundreds of lives each year. It calls for stronger occupational safety measures, improved enforcement of construction labour laws, accountability for workplace fatalities, and effective implementation of welfare schemes for workers, including migrant labourers.
The memorandum identifies several key demands raised by workers, including periodic revision of minimum wages, implementation of the eight-hour workday, payment of overtime at double the regular wage rate, provision of identity documents and social security benefits, accident prevention and compensation, improved occupational health and safety standards, and access to basic workplace facilities such as toilets, drinking water, and canteens.
The signatories also expressed concern over the growing use of contract labour and fixed-term employment. They argued that these practices have enabled employers to circumvent statutory obligations related to wages, benefits, job security, and workplace safety, while fragmenting the workforce and weakening collective bargaining.
Particular attention was drawn to the participation of migrant and women workers in recent labour protests. The memorandum states that women workers in sectors such as garments, electronics manufacturing, and scheme-based employment face wage discrimination, unsafe transportation, inadequate workplace safety, and vulnerability to gender-based violence and harassment.
The memorandum further contends that the primary demand of workers is not the enactment of new laws but the effective enforcement of existing labour rights. It criticises what it describes as the state's failure to act as an impartial protector of labour rights and warns that weakening trade unions and restricting freedom of association undermines mechanisms for dispute resolution and democratic accountability.
Expressing concern over the criminalisation of labour protests, the signatories alleged that peaceful worker mobilisations have increasingly been met with excessive policing, intimidation, and legal action against workers and union leaders. They urged authorities to withdraw all criminal and administrative cases filed against those involved in peaceful labour protests and to direct police agencies to refrain from intervening in industrial disputes.
Among its policy recommendations, the memorandum calls for rigorous labour inspections, regular revision of minimum wages in line with the 15th Indian Labour Conference norms and Supreme Court guidelines, regulation of contractualisation, strengthening of tripartite labour institutions, recognition of trade unions as key stakeholders, and greater worker participation in labour governance.
The signatories said sustainable economic growth and industrial peace can only be achieved through fair wages, safe workplaces, social security, respect for freedom of association, and meaningful dialogue among workers, employers, and governments.
A copy of the memorandum was forwarded to the media by Vipul Pandya of Bandhkam Mazdoor Sangathan, a labour rights organisation based in Gujarat. The group said the demands raised by workers seek the implementation of rights already guaranteed under existing laws and urged the authorities to take immediate steps to address workers' concerns in the interest of social justice, industrial harmony, and workers' welfare.
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