People's Democracy

(Weekly Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Vol. XXX

No. 31

July 30, 2006

Charter of Demands

 

  1. Take firm and swift measures to check price rise. Strengthen the public distribution system.

  2. Immediately introduce a comprehensive legislation for the unorganised sector workers, incorporating the unanimous suggestions from trade unions. Also bring in a separate comprehensive legislation for the agricultural workers.

  3. Immediately enact the Urban Employment Guarantee Bill to cover the urban unemployed.

  4. Remove the ban on recruitment. Stop downsizing of workforce.

  5. Stop contractisation and outsourcing of jobs.

  6. Strengthen the enforcement machinery to ensure implementation of all labour laws, including statutory minimum wages, equal wages, maternity benefits etc.

  7. Immediately enact legislation against sexual harassment at work place. Ensure full protection for women against atrocities.

  8. Stop privatisation and disinvestment of profit making and strategic public sector undertakings (PSUs) including nationalised banks, telecom, airports etc. Stop merger of banks. No privatisation/corporatisation of defence production units. No privatisation of public services and utilities. Take urgent measures for the revival of all sick/ loss making but potentially viable PSUs.

  9. Stop measures to raise FDI in telecom sector. No FDI in defence sector. No raise in the FDI cap in banking and insurance sectors. No FDI in coal, retail and pension sectors.

  10. Withdraw the amendment bill to the Banking Regulation Act.

  11. Review the Electricity Act of 2003 and the National Electricity Policy of 2005.

  12. Immediate measures to ensure right to strike for the workers and employees including government employees. 

  13. Carry out extensive land reforms and step up public investment in agriculture and irrigation facilities.

  14. Take stringent action for recovering the non-performing assets (NPAs) and unpaid tax arrears from the defaulters in the corporate and big business lobby.

  15. Annul the drastic cuts in the interest rate on EPF, GPF, CMPF, PPF and small savings. Scrap the new pension system. Withdraw the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill.

  16. Scrap the new series of Consumer Price Index (2001 = 100) and set up an index review committee.