SIVASAGAR, May 2 - International Labour Day was observed centrally by INTUC and its affiliated units here on Wednesday.
Many associations including ONGC Purbanchal Workers� Association, Asom Chah Karmachari Santha, United Contractual Workers� Union of ONGC, ONGC Chartered Higher Drilling & Work Over Rig Workers� Union, Sangjukta Nirman Sharamik Santha, Industrial Workers� Union, Federation of Rural Workers� Union took part in the day-long programme in Sivasagar on Wednesday.
Despite bad weather, hundreds of workers converged at the Sivasagar Boarding Field and leaders of different units led by Muhibul Haque hoisted 130 flags to mark the 130th anniversary of the historic event.
At an open meeting held at Sivasagar Natya Mandir, several distinguished persons addressed the gathering. ONGC official Punaram Mili said workers must raise their voices, and only then steps will be taken to address their grievances.
Educationist Manoj Kumar Borthakur said Assam has many examples of heroic struggle by workers and farmers against oppressive regimes in the past. He said the Moamoria rebellion was, in fact, a long-drawn struggle of the working class against oppression during the later part of the Ahom rule.
Jayanta Pator, president of ASTO-ONGC, said that status of workers in India was still far from good, and employees at the Jagiroad Paper Mill were dying of hunger while the authority was maintaining silence on the matter.
INTUC leader Purnakanta Buragohain criticised the government�s alleged anti-worker and anti-people policies and privatisation of public sector industries .
KALAIGAON: The Darrang and Udalguri district committee of the All Assam Dumper Drivers� Association observed the International Labour Day at Kalaigaon on May 1.
The programme, organised at Bholabari near Kalaigaon town, started with the hosting of the flag by Khagen Chandra Deka, president of the association, followed by lighting of lamp by Kandarpa Deka, secretary of the association. Homage was paid to the millions of deceased working class people by Parimol Deka, advisor of the association.
An open session was held, in which several people including Tankeswar Barua, president of the Kalaigaon Press Club, Jiten Rabha, secretary of the Tangla Motor Workers� Association, Kandarpa Deka, secretary of the host association, spoke on the importance of May Day.
NALBARI: The Nalbari branch of the Marwari Yuva Manch organised a free health check-up camp at Sri Sri Hari Mandir premises for labourers and daily wage earners on the occasion of May Day on Wednesday.
The camp was attended by four doctors � Dr Imran Hussain, Dr Rantu Burman, Dr Mantu Kalita and Dr Sandipan Sharma along with the team of nurses. Dr Anil Jain, director of the Aarogya Diagnosis Centre, provided laboratory assistance by sending a team of experts for collection of blood and urine samples.
Around 150 labourers along with their family members attended the camp, which was inaugurated by child specialist Dr Imran Hussain. The camp was also attended by Nalbari Deputy Commissioner Bharat Bhushan Dev Chaudhary, who gave his valuable suggestions.
Nikky Jalan, president of the Marwari Yuva Manch, said that labourers work hard every day to earn their daily bread but have no time for themselves. Therefore, the best way to honour them was to have their health checked at the free camp. She thanked the Joint Director of Health Services, Nalbari, for providing the medicines.
LUMDING: May Day was observed at the Centre of Indian Trade Unions premises at Jhulanpool in Lumding on Wednesday. The flag was hoisted by CITU district president GP Chakraborty in the presence of several workers and service holders of the locality who shouted slogans like �May Day Zindabad�.
A workers� meeting was organised at the CPI(M) office where a discussion took place on the International Labour Day and the condition of workers in India.
Chakraborty spoke about the sacrifices of the working class and also criticised the government�s policies.
The Lumding Railway Mazdoor Union also observed the day in a befitting manner. Trade union leaders, retired officials of State and Central government departments participated in the meeting and spoke about corruption, which they said was affecting progressive measure in the country, thereby resulting in poor condition of the working class.
MANGALDAI: Members of various labour unions of greater Mangaldai in Darrang district took a pledge to raise their united voices for the legitimate rights of the labour community and against its exploitation on the occasion of May Day on Wednesday.
A programme held under the aegis of the Sadou Mangaldai Nirman Sramik Sanstha, an organisation of construction workers of the district, was organised at the Chilarai Bhavan here.
The day-long programme began with the hoisting of the organisational flag by Sanstha president Saiyadur Rahman, followed by hoisting of the �May Divas� flag by Manik Sil Sarma, chairman of the Mangaldai Municipal Board.
Addressing the open session, several distinguished speakers including retired principal of Mangaldai College Bisitra Kumar Medhi, Mangaldai College associate professor Major Harimon Deka, District Labour Welfare Department Inspector Khargeswar Sarma, National Award recipient teacher Sasanka Hazarika, advocate Baharul Islam and social entrepreneur Sekhar Mazumdar discussed the significance of celebrating May Day, rights and challenges of the labour community, role and responsibilities of the government and different trade unions, among other issues.
JALAH: May Day was observed at Sri Sri Krishna Satra premises under Jalah circle in Baksa district under the aegis of the Baksa District Build Labour Union (BDBLU) with a day-long programme on Wednesday.
The programme began with hoisting of the flag by Haridhan Baro, president of the BDBLU. A smriti tarpan programme was led by Bhupen Das, former president of BDBLU, while a tree plantation programme was led by Tarun Das, office assistant of BDBLU. A labourers� rally was inaugurated by Rajen Das, Dhananjay Das and Kalyan Ramchiary. After the rally, a public meeting was held under the chairmanship of Haridhan Baro, where labour leaders spoke on the importance of the day. May Day was also observed at the Doomni tea garden near Jalah.
