Nawanshahr, July 9 - On the call of nationwide strike given today by the joint platform of 10 central trade unions and other organizations, laborers, employees and farmers organizations held strike and rally at the bus stand of Nawanshahr.
On this occasion, ITF State President Kulwinder Singh Waraich, State Press Secretary Jasbir Deep, District President Gurdayal Rakkad, District Vice President Parveen Kumar Nirala, District President of Asha Workers and Facilitators Union Shakuntala Saroy, District President of Auto Workers Union Puneet Kumar Bachhori, District President of Kirti Kisan Union Surinder Singh Bains, National Farmers Union leader Nirmal Singh Aujla, District President of Jamhoori Adhikar Sabha Ashok Kumar, President of Rehri-Patri Mazdoor Union Hare Ram etc. addressed. He said that today the working class is facing big challenges.
He said that all the four labor codes are a deadly attack on the working class by the Modi government. These labour codes are robbery of the basic rights of workers like organising, fighting and going on strike. This proves that for the Modi government the working class is merely a profit base for the capitalists. The leaders said that the workplaces of the working class are extremely unsafe. 
The leaders demanded repeal of the four labour codes, enforcement of existing labour laws, implementation of stringent safety measures to prevent industrial accidents, action against factory inspectors who are negligent in investigating safety violations, privatisation of public institutions and properties, sale, payment of funds, implementation of old pension scheme and cancellation of new pension scheme, giving status and rights of government employees to those working under Asha, mid-day meal, Anganwadi and other central schemes, minimum wage of Rs 26,000 per month across the country, higher taxes on the rich (4% wealth tax on billionaires), repeal of drafts like Agricultural Marketing Act, social security and employment guarantee, strengthening the public distribution system, 50% increase in funds for MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), public investment in economic policies.
They demanded increase in the salaries of employees, reduction of burden of indirect taxes like GST. The leaders said the strike was part of a larger fight for the rights of workers, farmers and social groups who are demanding changes in government policies. They said the Modi government has turned public sector banks into welfare centres for corporates.
The Modi government and the state governments of this party are killing tribals and Maoists, displacing tribals so that they can plunder precious natural treasures at the hands of corporates. They said the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab has established police raj in the state. On the lines of Uttar Pradesh, houses are being bulldozed in the state, fake police encounters are being carried out.
Even organisations are not being allowed to hold protests. Lathicharge is being done, leaders are being jailed in false cases. Farmers' lands are being forcibly taken away through the new land pooling policy. Photo caption: Workers, employees and farmers protesting in Nawanshahr.