Latest news with #CentreofIndianTradeUnions
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Prioritise railway safety and expansion of network, says CITU
All-India president of CITU (Centre of Indian Trade Unions) K. Hemalata has urged the Union government to prioritise railway safety and expansion of railway network in its Budget. Inaugurating a State-level convention on Safety in Railways organised by CITU State committee in Hubballi on Sunday, Ms. Hemalata said that the Railways that ferries over four crore passengers every day should be safe, accident free and should be expanded keeping in mind the requirements of the general public. 'Now, more trains have been introduced that are operating at high speed. However, upgradation of railway tracks, renovation, repairs and hygiene have not been given priority. The Union government should consider it and chalk out programmes on priority,' she said. Ms. Hemalata said that along with prioritising railway safety and expansion, the government should also put a full stop to the privatisation process. Despite opposition, some rail routes and maintenance of railway lines and construction of buildings are being privatised and this should not have happened, she said. She pointed out that railway platform ticket rates have been hiked and the concessions given for women and senior citizens have been withdrawn. This apart, a number of general coaches in which common people travel have been decreased and instead, a number of reservation and AC coaches have been increased, she said. CITU State general secretary Meenakshi Sundaram, senior trade union leader V.J.K. Nair, State secretary K. Mahanthesh, K.C. James of Loco Running Staff Association, A.K. Dubey of Guard Council Association, Kantharaju of Trackmans Association and Chandru Chalavadi of Porters Association spoke and highlighted various problems and demands pertaining to railway safety and lack of appointment and other issues. During the convention, resolutions were passed demanding that the government guarantee safety of railway passengers, increase the number of general coaches, make recruitment for vacant posts, resume concessions for women and senior citizens, among others.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Railway convention raises alarm over rising accidents, urges govt action
Hubballi: Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) president K Hemalatha said despite the alarming rate of accidents and the huge loss of lives, the Union govt is not showing any concern for protecting the lives of the people and staff who are crucial to the operation of the trains. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking at a state-level convention on 'Safety in Railways', organised by the CITU, here on Sunday, Hemalatha stated that the BJP-led NDA govt failed to take effective measures to prevent train accidents. "Instead, govt is blaming the railway employees for these accidents and taking punitive action against them," she added. The number of train accidents, which was 21 in 2020-21, increased to 34 in 2021-22, 48 in 2022-23, and 81 in 2024-25. The Railway Minister informed Parliament in 2022 that 469 passengers were killed and 1,275 injured in train accidents during 2014-19. "The trains running in suburban areas are experiencing accidents too. Hundreds of track maintainers died. More than 450 trackmen died in . Rail travel, an affordable mode of travel used by more than 2 crore people every day, must be made safe," Hemalatha demanded. S Varalakshmi, Karnataka President, CITU, said to oppose the privatisation of railways and address the safety concerns of passengers and employees, the organisation is creating awareness. "Govt is casting a negative shadow on employment. Contract employment is increasing, and due to this, accidents are increasing. The employees are working overtime, which is leading to accidents. Every passenger should travel safely, and govt should provide this," she urged. General secretary Meenakshi Sundaram demanded that the Union govt should ensure the safety of railway passengers and provide safe working conditions for railway employees. "Govt should stop the privatisation of in any form and improve facilities for passengers on trains, with senior citizens receiving concessions like women and other demands," she said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "In Karnataka, eleven station division-level conferences should be completed by the end of July-August 2025. The union should conduct publicity at railway stations in a way that reaches train passengers in the districts and launch a public signature campaign for a petition to be submitted to the Prime Minister after the conference. In Oct, a protest will be organised at railway stations," she said.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
CITU calls for nationwide strike tomorrow
Vijayawada: The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has called for a nationwide general strike on July 9, demanding repeal of the new Labor Codes, which they claim as aiming at turning the working class into bonded laborers, and to resolve various demands of employees and workers. CITU State vice-president P Ajay Kumar announced this during an extensive meeting of CITU NTR district committee held on Saturday at the CITU district office in Ranigari Thota here. The meeting was presided over by district president A Venkateswar. Addressing the gathering, Ajay Kumar stated that the Modi government at the Centre introduced the Labor Codes specifically to trample upon the rights of the working class. 'These codes will strip workers of their fundamental rights to form unions, strike, and engage in collective bargaining,' he asserted. He added that the concept of 'fixed-term employment' is merely a ploy to exploit labor by employing workers without protection, thereby benefiting corporations. Kumar urged workers to decisively reject the Labor Codes and demanded the implementation of a minimum wage of Rs 26,000. He also criticised the Chandrababu-led State government for amending the Factories Act to allow 'spread hours,' enabling employers to make workers labor for up to 12 hours a day, and permitting women to work night shifts, calling it an 'atrocious' move. Ajay Kumar demanded that the Telugu Desam government increase minimum wages, establish welfare boards for 'muta' (headload) workers, hawkers, auto, and transport workers.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
CITU seeks immediate release of salaries to sanitation workers
The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on Friday (June 6) demanded the immediate release of three months' pending salaries to sanitation workers and night watchmen working at government schools and colleges. The CITU submitted a petition to NTR District Education Officer M.V. Subba Rao on Friday. In response, the officer promised that pending salaries of three months for night watchmen and school ayahs (helpers) will be released within two days. CITU Union leaders N.C.H. Supraja and M. Someswara Rao said the sanitation workers in schools across the NTR district must be retained. They also condemned the government's action of removing ayahs, citing policy regulations. They slammed the government for delaying even the paltry salaries paid to these workers and not implementing minimum wage laws. They demanded that the government increase the salaries of ayahs working in schools in line with inflation. They strongly opposed the proposed policy of appointing only one ayah for every 300 students, stating that it would render hundreds of ayahs jobless. They urged the ruling coalition government to resolve the issues faced by sanitation workers, increase their salaries and refrain from arbitrarily dismissing ayahs without valid reason. Other demands include extension of ESI and PF benefits to these workers, issuance of identity cards, and provision of uniforms by the government.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
CITU Launches Protest Demanding Pending Salaries for Hostel Worker
Gadwal: In a strong show of support for long-neglected hostel workers, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) staged a protest rally on Tuesday demanding immediate disbursement of pending wages. The rally began at the old Collector's office and culminated in a dharna (sit-in protest) in front of the District Collectorate. District Secretaries A. Venkataswamy and V.V. Narasimha declared that the fight will continue until every worker receives their rightful wages. The protest highlighted the financial distress faced by workers due to the non-payment of salaries for 6 to 7 months. Seven Months Without Pay: Workers in Crisis According to the CITU leaders, SC hostel workers have not received their salaries for seven months, and BC hostel workers have gone unpaid for six months. They criticized the government for ignoring essential service providers, comparing hostel workers' duties to those in emergency services. 'How are workers' families supposed to survive without salaries for months?' questioned the leaders during the protest. Demand for Direct Payment Through Corporations CITU demanded that the government disburse wages directly through the SC and BC Welfare Corporations, bypassing third-party agencies, to ensure timely and transparent payment. They also condemned district welfare officials, accusing them of negligence and irresponsibility, which has led to failures in depositing PF (Provident Fund) and ESI (Employee State Insurance) contributions into workers' accounts. Allegations of Arbitrary Appointments and Exploitation Leaders alleged that favoritism and irregular appointments have become rampant. Workers are being shuffled arbitrarily between pre-matric and post-matric hostels, often at the whims of local officials. In the BC college hostel, workers have reportedly not shown up for four months, and the workload is falling entirely on just two individuals. This scenario is repeating across many hostels in the district, resulting in severe overwork and exploitation. They also accused past and current officials of making unauthorized appointments without issuing proper notifications, denying long-serving workers official recognition and security. Key Demands Presented to Authorities The protest concluded with the submission of a petition to Additional Collector Lakshmi Narayana, listing several key demands: Immediate release of pending wages Issuance of appointment letters and job charts specifying each worker's role Proper PF and ESI deposits into worker accounts Regularization and recognition of long-time workers End to arbitrary postings and political favoritism in hostel appointments Warning of Larger Agitation CITU warned that if the government fails to address these concerns promptly, the union will launch a long-term agitation across the district and state. Protest Led by Worker and Union Leaders The protest saw participation from: Ranjith Kumar and Anand Raju (District President & Secretary, Hostel Workers' Union), Upper Narasimha (CITU District Vice President), Jayakar (District Treasurer, Hostel Workers' Union) Shashikala, Lakshmi (Vice Presidents) Pravalika, Chintarevula (Assistant Secretaries) Gopal, Haimavati, Ramakrishna, Anji, Sridevi, Padma, and several other workers.
