{"id":1685,"date":"2011-11-02T09:33:03","date_gmt":"2011-11-02T08:33:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/socialism.in\/?p=1685"},"modified":"2011-12-22T16:06:08","modified_gmt":"2011-12-22T15:06:08","slug":"punjab-ludhiana-textile-workers-struggle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/socialism.in\/?p=1685","title":{"rendered":"Punjab: Ludhiana Textile Workers\u2019 Struggle"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Workers marching under the banner of Textile Mazdoor Union<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It <\/span><\/span>has<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>been<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>over<\/span><\/span> 40 days now <\/span><\/span>since<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>struggle<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>by<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Ludhiana<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>(Punjab)<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Powerloom<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>began (22<\/span><\/span>nd<\/span><\/span><\/sup> September),<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>but<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>struggle<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>by<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>these<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>belonging<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>over<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>155<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>factories<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>(involving<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>more<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>than<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>2500)<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>shows<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>no<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>sign<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>receding.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>If<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>anything,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>these<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>are<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>determined<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>as<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>never<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>before,<\/span><\/span> even skipping the Diwali celebrations, <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>lay<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>claim<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>their<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>basic<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>rights<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>as<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>industry,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>which<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>labour<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>department<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>is<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>hardly<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>bothered<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>about<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>(despite<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>statutory<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>laws<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>protecting<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>these<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers),<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>with<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>mill<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>owners<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>conniving<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>with<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>labour<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>department<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Punjab<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>state<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>government<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>cow<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>down<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>are<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>not<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>claiming<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>something<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>mill<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>owners<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>or<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>labour<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>department<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>cannot<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>give<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>or<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>implement.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>But<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>by<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>way<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>mill<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>owners<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>are<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>shouting<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>hoarse<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>against<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>strike,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>one<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>would<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>defintely<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>conclude<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>that<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>owners<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>definitely<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>lack<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>sense<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>imagination.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Here’s<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>what<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>they<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>have<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>say<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>ads<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>posted<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>local<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>daily<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>newspapers:<\/span><\/span> \u201c<\/span><\/span>Dear<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Chief<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Minister,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>terrorism<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>has<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>struck<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Ludhiana<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>(!)<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>As<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>if<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>going<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>on<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>strike<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>amounts<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>terrorism.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>And<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>what<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>are<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>demanding?<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Implementation<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>labour<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>laws<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>factories.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>If<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>this<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>is<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>how<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>they<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>react<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>strike<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>by<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>either<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>they<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>are<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>yet<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>come<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>out<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>from<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Khalistan<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>militancy<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>days<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>or<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>merely<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>trying<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>hype<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>issue<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>as<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>propaganda<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>against<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Either<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>ways<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>they<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>will<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>not<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>make<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>much<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>headaway,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>for<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>any<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>ordinary<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Punjabi<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>would<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>definitely<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>have<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>more<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>sense<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>than<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>mill<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>owners<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>association<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>judge<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>who<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>is<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>right<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>who<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>is<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>wrong.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>The<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>case<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>is<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>open<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>shut<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>case<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>that<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>would<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>definitely<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>put<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>mill<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>owners<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>dock.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Let’s<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>look<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>at<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>facts<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>at<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>hand:<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>apart<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>from<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>extreme<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>exploitation<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>from<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>long<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>working<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>hours,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>extreme<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>work<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>pressure,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>low<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>salaries<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>(anywhere<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>from<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Rs.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>3000<\/span><\/span> \u2013 <\/span><\/span>6000),<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>bad<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>working<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>conditions;<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>none<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>labour<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>laws<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>are<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>implemented<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>with<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>no<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>weekly<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>holidays,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>health<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>care<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>coverage<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>(ESI),<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>right<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>unionize<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>or<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>strike,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>bonuses<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>so<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>on<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>so<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>forth.,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>facts<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>figures<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>that<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>might<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>as<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>well<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>have<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>been<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>taken<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>out<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>from<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>pages<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Das<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Capital.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ludhiana<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>employs<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>more<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>than<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>2<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>million<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>such<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>textile<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>mills<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>but<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>their<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>plight<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>hardly<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>makes<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>makes<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>news<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>headlines.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>This<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>is<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>not<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>first<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>time<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>are<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>striking,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>they<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>have<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>tasted<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>victory<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>before<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>but<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>are<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>relatively<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>new<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>arena<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>struggle<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>still<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>not<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>yet<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>shackled<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>by<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>bureaucracies<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Central<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Trade<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Unions.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>But<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>they<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>will<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>catch<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>up<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>with<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>big<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>movements<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>that<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>are<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>taking<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>place<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>across<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>globe<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>because<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>if<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Maruti<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>strike<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>(in<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>neighboring<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>state<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Haryana),<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>that<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>has<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>been<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>on<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>off<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>for<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>past<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>5<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>months,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>has<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>anything<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>teach<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>them<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>it<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>is<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>power<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>as<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>class<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>can<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>challenge<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>mighty<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>powers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Capitalism.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

T<\/span><\/span>he<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>have<\/span><\/span> also <\/span><\/span>protested<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>outside<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>labour<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>department<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>demanding<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>implementation<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>labour<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>laws<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>plus<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>an<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>25%<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>increase<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>wages.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>have<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>been<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>organizing<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>under<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>banner<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Karkhana<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Mazdoor<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Union<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Textile<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Mazdoor<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Union<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>run<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>under<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>democratic<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>control<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>independent<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>decision<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>making<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>powers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>themselves.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>It<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>is<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>also<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>heartening<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>note<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>solidarity<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>messages<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>that<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>have<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>been<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>sent<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>by<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>these<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Maruti<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Suzuki<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>strike<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>also<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Occupy<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Wall<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Street<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>movement.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>That<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>is<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>way<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>forward<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>build<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>struggle<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>movement<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>across<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>barriers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>industry,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>trade,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>national<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>boundaries,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>race,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>ethinicity<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>so<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>on.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>While<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>it<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>is<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>important<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>reach<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>out<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>struggles<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>that<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>are<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>taking<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>place<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>at<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>present,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>but<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>it<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>is<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>also<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>important<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>also<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>reach<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>out<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>their<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers’<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>brethen<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>other<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>textile<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>garment<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>industries<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>their<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>unions<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>across<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>India<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>build<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>real,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>genuine<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>movement<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>against<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>brutal<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>exploitation<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>by<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>these<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>special<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>exploitation<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>zones.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>T<\/span><\/span>hey<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>also<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>have<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>important<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>lessons<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>to<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>learn<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>from<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>heroic<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>18<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>month<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>long<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>strike<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>by<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Bombay<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>(now<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Mumbai)<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Textile<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Workers<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>early<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>80’s<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>the challenges that it posed on them<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span>.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Like every struggle this is not an isolated struggle and characteristic of the era that we live in presently, with the global economic crisis on the one hand and the bosses attempt to squeeze all that is left of the workers to maintain their profit margins. In anticipation of the coming crisis, it is time to build a democratic trade union movement that unionizes the workers and organized on a industry, city\/ town, state and national level, based on grass root democracy that extends all the way to the central trade unions. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

New Socialist Alternative (CWI \u2013 India) fully supports the strike and demands of the Ludhiana Powerloom Workers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Anand Kumar <\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Bangalore<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It has been over 40 days now since the struggle by the Ludhiana (Punjab) Powerloom workers began (22nd September), but the struggle by these workers belonging to over 155 factories (involving more than 2500) shows no sign of receding. If anything, these workers are determined as never before, even skipping the Diwali celebrations, to lay […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1685","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-punjab","category-special-exploitation-zones"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/socialism.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1685","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/socialism.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/socialism.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/socialism.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/socialism.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1685"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/socialism.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1685\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1690,"href":"https:\/\/socialism.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1685\/revisions\/1690"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/socialism.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1685"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/socialism.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1685"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/socialism.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1685"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}