The following statement was issued to the press today on 23.06.2022 by the Joint Platform of the Central Trade Unions and Independent Sectoral Federations and Associations
Trade Unions Extend Support to the Nationwide Protest
Against AgnipathScheme called by Samyukt Kisan Morcha on 24th June
Demand withdrawal of this anti-national anti-youth scheme
The platform of the Central Trade Unions and Independent Sectoral Federations and Associations has taken note of the widespreadanger and unrest being reflected in numerousdemonstrations of youth and other sections of people surged spontaneouslythroughout the country against the retrogradeAGNIPATHscheme dubiously designed to degenerate and casualise the quality of employment even in country’s armed forces through fixed-term contract, that too without any pensionery benefit, not to speak of post-retirement medical and other social security. It has dawned on those who had appeared for military selection exams, on those who are looking for stable employment.Such a dubiously designed scheme severely degenerating quality of employment in country’s armed forces will be damaging and disastrous for country’s security and combative preparedness, besides dampening the morale and determination of our soldiers. The retired military commanders, who know the military establishment inside out,have warned that on the one hand Agnipath will weaken the military establishment and on the other, endanger society at large when Agniveers are let loose on the streets, unemployed and without pension!
The policies of the central Government over the past eight years have put ordinary people to great sufferings.The result is an ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor, unbearable price rise, all time high unemployment and blatant lawlessness by the government itself using bulldozers against suspects. Agnipath is another step intended to take the nation into an uncertain future, with disastrous consequences. It gives a lie to the oft-repeated claim of the BJP of being ultra patriotic, when they try to do away with pension and social security for those who are to defend the borders of our country and bravely combat, whenever required, putting their lives at stake!
Various sections of the society have come in support of the agitating youth. Now the Samyukt Kisan Morcha has also called upon to observe 24th June as Nationwide protest day. The platform of the Central Trade Unions and Federations extend support to this nationwide protest and calls upon its units at various levels to participate in the action programmes.
Source: WFTU