Anti-Worker Labor Codes Undermine the Spirit of May Day: Sunil Kumar Bajal

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Mangaluru : May Day is a historic occasion established to advocate for eight hours of work, eight hours of sleep, and eight hours of rest, serving as a unique global day of unity for humanity. However, Sunil Kumar Bajal, the General Secretary of CITU Dakshina Kannada District, has called upon the working class to prepare for a militant struggle against the Narendra Modi government. He accused the administration of undermining the fundamental spirit of May Day by introducing labor codes that increase daily work hours to 12. Speaking as the keynote orator at a public workers’ meeting in Mangaluru, he condemned these policies as being fundamentally anti-worker.

The event was organized under the auspices of the May Day Celebration Committee, a collective of workers from various sectors, employees, and pro-people organizations. The celebrations began with a vibrant procession starting from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Circle, where participants shouted slogans denouncing the anti-labor policies of both the central and state governments. During his address, Bajal further explained that imperialism is an extension of the capitalist system that currently seeks to control the world. He noted that the warmongering policies of American imperialists and global conflicts are severely affecting common people and the working class, leading to extreme price hikes and making life difficult for laborers.

Presiding over the meeting, Dr. Krishnappa Konchady, a progressive thinker and honorary president of the committee, stated that true societal or national development is impossible without improving the lives of the working class who create wealth. He remarked that, with the exception of socialist nations, most countries prioritize the interests of capitalists over those of the labor force. CITU district leader Ravichandra Konchady added that despite slogans like “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas,” the government has systematically destroyed the livelihoods of workers. The event, which also featured insights from senior leaders J. Balakrishna Shetty and Sunil Raj, included a ceremony to honor the children of various workers who achieved high marks in recent SSLC and PUC examinations.