The 21 Point Charter of Demands released by SKM and JPCTUs in context of the all India Grameen Bandh and Industrial / Sectoral Strike on 16th February 2024.

Groundxero| 15th February, 2024

Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Sectoral Federations/Associations has called Grameen Bandh and Industrial / Sectoral Strike on 16th February 2024 against the pro-corporate policies of the Modi Government to replace with pro-farmer, pro-worker, pro-people policies of development is being observed across India with massive participation.

Many political parties including Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Dravida Munnetra Kazhakam, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist -Leninist) Liberation, SUCI (Communist) and  Communist Party of India (Red Flag), the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration of Jammu and Kashmir, the five party alliance including Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party and Awami National Conference have extended support the the Grameen Bandh and Industrial/ Sectoral strike.

In addition to the platforms of students and agricultural workers, the platform of five women organizations has issued statements appealing to women across India to support and join nationwide strike. 

SKM and JPCTUs has appealed to the people to reflect their protest against one decade long loot and plunder and repression of farmers and workers including the present one at Punjab Border by the Modi Government and BJP led Haryana state government blocking them from entering Delhi.

The 21 Point Charter of Demands:

1. Control price rise, remove GST on the essential items like food, medicines, agro-inputs and machinery, reduce substantially central excise duty on petroleum products and cooking gas.

2. Railway concessions to Senior Citizens, Women, Differently-abled persons, Sports persons, withdrawn under the pretext of Covid, be restored.

3. Guarantee Food Security and Universalize Public Distribution System.

4. Guarantee Right to Free Education, Right to health, water and sanitation for all. Scrap New National Education Policy, 2020.

5. Ensure housing for all.

6. Stringent implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and Land Acquisition Rehabilitation, Resettlement Act (LARR Act) 2013; withdraw the amendments to Forest (Conservation) Act, 2023 and Bio-diversity Act and Rules that allow the union government to permit clearance of a forest without even informing the residents. Ensure land to the Tiller.

7. National Minimum Wage of Rs.26000/-p.m.

8. Convene Indian Labour Conference regularly.

9. Stop privatization of Public Sector Enterprises, Government Departments and scrap National Monetization Pipeline (NMP). Amend existing law on mining of minerals and metals and ensure 50% share of profit from mines including coal mines for upliftment of local communities, especially Adivasis and Farmers.

10. Withdraw the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022. No pre-paid smart meters.

11. Right to work be made fundamental Right. Fill sanctioned posts and generate employment for the unemployed. Expand and implement MGNREGS (200 days per year and Rs.600/-per day wage). Enact Urban Employment Guarantee Act.

12. Increase subsidy to farmers on seed, fertilizers and electricity, legally guarantee MSP @ C-2+50% for farmers’ produce and guarantee procurement. Prevent Farmers’ suicides at all costs.

13. Withdraw the pro-corporate PM Fasal Bima Yojana and establish a comprehensive Public Sector Crop Insurance Scheme for all crops, to compensate farmers for losses due to climatic change, drought, flood, crop related diseases, etc.

14. Declare Comprehensive Loan Waiver Scheme to free all the farm households from the trap of indebtedness.

15. Implement written assurances given by the Union government, based on which the historic Kisan Struggle was suspended : Memorial at Singhu Border for all the martyred farmers, pay compensation and rehabilitate their families, withdraw all pending cases, prosecute Ajay Mishra Teni, the Union MoS for Home.

16. Withdraw four labour codes, No Fixed Term Employment and ensure equality and safety at work. Stop casualization of labour. All categories of unorganized workers, such as Home-based Workers, Hawkers, Rag-Pickers, Domestic Workers, Construction Workers, Migrant workers, Scheme Workers, Agricultural Workers, Workers in Shop/Establishments, Loading/Unloading Workers, Gig Workers, Salt-pan Workers, Beedi Workers, Toddy-tappers, Rikshaw-pullers, Auto/Rikshaw/Taxi Drivers, Ex-patriate Workers, Fishing Community etc. be registered and given portability in comprehensive social security, including pension.

17. Give ESI Coverage to Construction Workers, with contributions from the Welfare Fund, also give coverage of health schemes, maternity benefits, life and disability insurance to all workers registered on E-Shram Portal.

18. Ratify ILO Conventions on Domestic Workers and Home-based Workers and make appropriate laws. Make comprehensive policy on Migrant Workers, strengthen existing Inter-state Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1979 providing portability of their social security cover.

19. Scrap NPS, restore OPS and provide Social Security to ALL. Ensure Minimum Pension Rs.10000pm

20. Tax the Super Rich; Enhance Corporate Tax; Re-introduce Wealth Tax and Succession Tax.

21. Withdraw the draconian provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita including the hit and run provisions.