The Employees’ Union of West Coast Paper Mill, a renowned industrial organization in Uttara Kannada District, Dandeli, Karnataka officially affiliated to the Trade Union Centre of India (TUCI) and the first organizational meeting was successfully held today at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhavan, Dandeli.
TUCI General Secretary R. Manasayya, who participated as the chief guest in this historic affiliation ceremony, welcomed the West Coast Paper Mill Employees’ Association’s affiliation with TUCI, a militant trade union at the All India level, and extended revolutionary congratulations to all the workers, employees and office bearers of the association on behalf of the TUCI Central Committee and Karnataka State Committee.
Speaking, he said that all the productive systems of the society, including the country’s economy, industry, agriculture, transport and service sectors, are based on the labor power of hardworking workers. The necessary goods and services are reaching the society only through the labor power of workers. However, he criticized that governments and corporate systems are failing to provide adequate wages, job security and social security to the workers.
He called for the need for more than 60 crore workers in the country to fight in an organized manner for their due wages, job security, implementation of old labor laws and human rights to life.
He said that the workers and employees of West Coast Paper Mill should prepare for an organized and uncompromising struggle for their wage revision, legal benefits, job security and other legitimate demands. He opined that justice will be achieved only when the atmosphere of fear is eliminated among the workers and they fearlessly develop the power of unity and fight for their rights.
The meeting was chaired by Deepak Samant, General Secretary of the Paper Mill Employees Union. He gave an introductory speech and explained the problems of the paper mill workers and the need for future struggle.
TUCI State Secretary M. Gangadhar, office bearers and leaders of the West Coast Paper Mill Employees Union were present. Hundreds of workers participated enthusiastically in the meeting and expressed their determination to strengthen the organization and further intensify the struggle for rights.
The meeting expressed the opinion that this inclusion is a significant step in adding new strength to the labor movement of the Dandeli region and further strengthening the struggle for the rights of the paper working class.
M. Gangadhar
State Secretary
Trade Union Centre of India (TUCI)
Karnataka State Committee.
