RPF shares thoughts on Workers' Day
Finer Meaning, The Impact, The Essence And The Significance Of International Workers' Day Stressed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 30 2013:
In order to escape the neo-liberalization policies of India set by its capitalist class and its market economy and put into motion a vibrant economy of Manipur, all the indigenous communities of Manipur need to take a firm resolution and wage the war of liberation collectively, the proscribed RPF has called out on the occasion of the International Workers' Day (May 1) .
Tracing the genesis of International Workers' Day, the outfit recalled that confrontation between police and workers who were demanding their rights broke out in different parts of the USA including Chicago in 1887 .
While six workers were killed in the confrontation, many others were arrested.
Those arrested were hung to death on November 11, 1887.Subsequently, the second conference of the Communist International held in 1889 declared May 1 as the International Workers' Day.
A statement issued by the outfit's Publicity Secretary Roben Khuman remarked that labourers and peasants in Manipur are being exploited just like slaves without giving any room to highlight their grievances.
With the successive Indian rulers paying little attention to the plight of workers, they remain the most backward class in the society.
Despite its claim of being the largest democracy in the world, there are continuous reports about farmers and workers committing suicide because they could no longer bear the level of exploitation and subjugation perpetrated by the capitalist class.
Prices of essential commodities have been rising day by day, the level of corruption is soaring, the number of unemployed people has been multiplying and the gap between haves and have nots has been widening to an unprecedented level while all Government undertakings are being privatised.
For every one billionaire in India, there are more than one lakh homeless people, the outfit asserted.
Following implementation of the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission, salaries of Government employees have increased considerably but workers and peasants have not been given wages commensurate to their labour, leave apart their welfare policies.
In the absence of any policy or programme to set up modern industries, cottage industries which were in existence since the past are being strangulated with imported goods.
In the meantime, a large number of security personnel are being recruited to guard and protect the ruling class.
Noting that the International Workers' Day is one event which never fail to inspire exploited workers and peasants to fight for their rights, the outfit called upon working class of Manipur to unite together and fight back the increasing level of exploitation driven by its neo-liberal economic policies.