CITU, AITUC stage separate rallies over workers’ demands

Two trade unions staged rallies in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday, pressing the State and Central governments to fulfil various demands.

Members of the CITU-affiliated Visakha Auto Rickshaw Workers’ Union rallied from the Railway Station to Gandhi Park at the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) office, via the Divisional Railway Manager’s office and Dwaraka Junction.

Union district general secretary K. Satyanarayana alleged that State government had promised a welfare board for auto drivers, subsidies on petrol and diesel, and implementation of the ‘Vahana Mitra scheme’. He said the promises remained unfulfilled two years after the coalition administration assumed office.

The union also alleged police photographing autorickshaws, imposition of heavy fines during enforcement drives against school autos, and the handing over of Regional Transport Office (RTO) functions to private persons. It threatened to intensify protests if the demands were not met before the GVMC elections.

Separately, the Visakha District Council of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) held a workers’ rally from Jagadamba Junction to the Gandhi statue near the GVMC office, followed by a protest.

The AITUC alleged that the Central and State governments were pursuing “anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-people” policies, and demanded withdrawal of the four labour codes, a minimum wage of ₹26,000, an eight-hour working day, and regularisation of contract, outsourced and scheme workers, including anganwadi, ASHA and mid-day meal staff.

District general secretary G.S.J. Atchuta Rao and other office-bearers, along with many workers, participated in the demonstration.