Hyderabad, Feb.8 (RAHNUMA): The Left parties have extended their full support to the nationwide general strike planned by the central trade unions on February 12 demanding the repeal of the four labor codes introduced by the BJP government at the center, which are anti-labor and pro-corporate. They have demanded the withdrawal of other anti-people policies such as the Electricity Amendment Act 2025, the VBG-Ramji Act, the Seed Amendment Bill and allowing 100% foreign investment in LIC. They have called upon the workers and people of the state to participate in this strike in large numbers and make it a grand success.
They said that the central government had repealed 29 laws that workers fought for and achieved and introduced four dangerous labor codes that benefit the managements. “Because of these, workers will be deprived of social security benefits such as ESI, PF, gratuity, and pension. There will be no job security. In many states, laws have already been amended to increase workers’ working hours. By introducing the VBG-Ramji Act, the central government is shirking its responsibilities. It is reducing budget allocations and the number of working days.
The Electricity Amendment Bill will increase electricity charges for common people. With smart meters and the abolition of cross-subsidy, free and subsidized electricity provided to farmers and the poor will be jeopardized. It also infringes upon the rights of the states. This is contrary to the spirit of federalism. It reduces the powers of the states in deciding electricity charges and other crucial matters, thereby increasing the central government’s control. The Seed Amendment Bill will transfer the power to control seed prices into the hands of private companies, increasing the dominance of multinational corporations. This will lead to a massive increase in cultivation costs. Allowing 100 percent Foreign Direct Investment in the LIC means that foreign companies will operate solely for profit. This will cause difficulties for ordinary people regarding claims. Public funds will be diverted not for the development of our country but for the profits of foreign companies,” they said .
Noting that the Workers’, farmers’, and agricultural laborers’ unions have declared their support for achieving their demands, the left parties said that that they were expressing their complete support for this nationwide general strike.
