DOOMDOOMA, May 1 - Along with the rest of the world, International Labour Day (May Day) was also observed at Doomdooma by various trade unions and other organisations.
The Doomdooma branch of the Asom Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) observed the day at its office premises. The day�s programme began with the hoisting of the flag by ACMS Doomdooma branch president Dileswar Tanti. The smriti tarpan was initiated by DN Neog, the general secretary of the Tinsukia Division NF Railway Employees� Union.
Later, an open meeting was held which was chaired by Dileswar Tanti. Addressing the meeting as guest, journalist Abhijit Khataniar explained the significance of the day. He also strongly criticised the anti-labour policies of the current government and urged all like-minded trade unions to come together to work unitedly to achieve the legitimate rights of the working class. The meeting was also addressed by ACMS general secretary Rupesh Gowala, former labour minister of the state Dileswar Tanti, besides DN Neog and others.
Labourers coming from various tea gardens of Doomdooma circle and the trainees and instructors of Jogendra Nath Rajmedhi Skill Development Institute run by ACMS, Doomdooma branch presented a few cultural items.
On the other hand , the day was also observed by Hindustan Lever Ltd (PPF) Workers� Union in collaboration with Doomdooma unit of CITU at Doomdooma Town Field. After flag hoisting and smriti tarpan, a colourful cultural procession was taken out through the main streets of the tea town. Later, an open meeting was held at town field.
Hindustan Unilever (PP Factory) Shramik Sangha (affiliated to INTUC) also observed the day at the Doomdooma Press Club with various programmes.
At Tezpur: The Sonitpur district committee of the Joint Council of Trade Unions and the Sadou Asom Mistri-Jugali Santha today took out two separate rallies throughout the town here and along the NH-15 near Goroimari area near here to mark the International Labour Day.
The cadres of the Sonitpur district committee of Joint Council of Trade Unions taking part in the rally shouted slogans like �May Day Zindabad�, �Fulfil our demands� etc. The rally culminated at the Hem Baruah Hall here. Later a meeting was also held wherein addressing the gathering the office bearers of the Sonitpur district chapter of the trade organisation alleged that the BJP government has failed to address the grievances of the working class of the society. �Demonetisation and implementation of GST were total flops of the BJP government and they have been doing everything keeping the common people in the dark,� they alleged.
Simultaneously, the Sadou Asom Mistri-Jugali Santha also took out their rally along the NH-15 near Goroimari area to mark the day. It was followed by a public meeting wherein they urged the government to solve their long-pending demands.
At Gauripur: International Workers� Day popularly known as May Day was observed at Bidyapara Railway gate today with a meeting participated by various trade organisations of the area.
On the occasion, the flag was hoisted by Jainal Abedin, ex-MLA and a leading trade union leader of the district. He, in his speech called upon the leaders and the workers of various unions to raise their voice in establishing their dignity of labour. The meeting was also addressed by Rameswar Sen, Manju Roy and Jagadish Roy. The workers attending the meeting shouted slogans in support of their genuine demands.
May Day was also observed at Nayahat under Bilasipara subdivision and the flag was hoisted by Kismat Ali. A big procession was also brought out. The public meeting was chaired by Khairul Islam and the objectives were explained by Dayal Paul. A few speakers including Prof Hridayatullah, Sajila Begum and Ramen Das spoke about the significance of the May Day.
May Day was also observed at Silaipar near Gauripur.
At Sualkuchi: Sualkuchi Tat Silpi Santha, an organisation of weavers affiliated to CITU observed the May Day today by organising a seminar on �relevance of May Day in the present socio economic context.�
Participating in the seminar, Jogendra Bharali, retired headmaster Ganesh Das High School as well as the advisor of Tat Silpi Santha said the employees under the unorganised sector have been deprived of salaries fixed by the labour commission. The labour commission fixed Rs 9104.50/- for semi-skilled labour and Rs.78060.50/- for unskilled labour.
Regarding the social security of the weavers of Sualkuchi, he said the weavers engaged in the handloom factories comprising 20 to 50 looms are deprived of the basic right of the employees provident fund and employees insurance facilities. Speaking at the seminar directed by the Tirtha Nath Kakati, ex-president of Sualkuchi Tat Silpi Santha, Bhpen Rajbongshi, adviser of Santha explained the significance of May Day. Parnjit Mahanta, who read out a poem, said that the red flag is the symbol of unity and integrity of the labourers of the world. Dr. Atul Das sang a song.
Earlier in the morning Sarbananda Kalita, president of Sualkuchi Tat Silpi Santha hoisted the flag to mark the beginning of the May Day.
At Morigaon: Along with the rest of the world, the International Labour Day was observed here at Morigaon under the auspices of Morigaon district unit of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).
The programme started with the flag hoisting by Haidar Ali, president, Morigaon district Nirman Sramik Santha. This was followed by a colourful procession which was taken out by several labour organisations on the main thoroughfare in Morigaon town. The open meeting held on the occasion at Morigaon Bihutoli was presided over by Haidar Ali. Addressing the gathering, Munin Mahanta, veteran CPI leader and former MLA, Morigaon dwelt at length about the significance of the May Day. Mahanta said that capitalist forces in our country were trying to violate the labour laws and the BJP government at the Centre did nothing for the welfare of the working class.
At Goreswar: International May Day was observed jointly by CITU, Nirman Shramik Union, Krishak Mazdur Youth- Students� Federation at Bishnu Rabha Bhawan here at Goreswar in Baksa district today.
In this connection, Khagen Deka, Kamrup district secretary of Nirman Shramik Union hoisted the red flag while Karuna Bhuyan and Dharani Boro performed the swahid tarpan programme.
A procession was taken out through the main roads of Goreswar shouting slogans demanding solution to the long standing demands of the labour classes.
A seminar was also held at Bishnu Rabha Bhawan which was presided over by Ajit Talukdar, eminent dramatist and poet of Goreswar where Basudev Kalita, Karuna Bhuyan and Biraj Deka took part as speakers.
The artists of Gananatya Sangha of Goreswar branch took part in the well-attended gathering and sang many songs.
