Chandigarh-International Labor Day (Labor Day) is not just a page on the calendar or a government holidayThis disclosed here by union leader Gurpreet Singh Taruana in a press release issued here today.He said that rather that golden history written in the blood of Chicago’s martyrs, which symbolizes the rights, dignity, and social justice of the working class. This day reminds us that the sweat of laborers and employees, who form the foundation of society, can never be overlooked. But regrettably, the land of Punjab, which has always raised its voice against oppression and injustice, today sees its hardworking laborers, employees, and workers falling victim to the indifference of the government machinery and ongoing exploitation. This day presents an opportunity for those in power to recognize that the very hands building the progress of the nation and the state are today forced to take to the streets for their own fundamental rights.
This is the darkest example of the Punjab government’s administrative injustice. These teachers, who have devoted the golden years of their lives to the state’s education system, are still deprived of rights equal to full-time employees, rightful pensions, gratuity, and retirement benefits despite decades of service. The agreements and promises made by governments from time to time have proven to be mere paper, plunging the future of these teachers into deep crisis. Without any job security and without an equal pay scale, these teachers are facing constant setbacks. This is no minor administrative oversight, but akin to stabbing the founders of education in the back, raising a major question mark over both the government’s intent and its policies. Similarly, by withholding dearness allowance (DA) from millions of Punjab government employees or deliberately delaying it, the government has imposed a terrible economic burden on its own workers, while neighboring states provide their employees far better facilities.
On the other hand, the plight of the Scheduled Caste (Dalit) working class is even more heart-wrenching. Even today, this class is being crushed in the mill of unemployment, landlessness, social discrimination, and economic inequality. Low wages, lack of educational opportunities, and the hollow welfare promises made in every election have pushed this toiling community to the margins. In this era of inflation, where ordinary employees are distressed over DA, Dalit employees are enduring social and economic oppression just to earn a meal for two times a day. The time has come today for laborers, employees, computer teachers, and oppressed classes to unite and sound the bugle of a vigorous struggle against these broken promises and governmental indifference. The exploitation of these classes, who serve as the backbone of society’s and the state’s development, must not be tolerated at any cost. Labor Day not only demands that we raise our voices but also holds the government accountable through struggles. We emphatically demand that every worker receive equal rights, full pension security, fair and timely wages, immediate restoration of DA, and genuine social justice for marginalized laborers. Rights are not granted by asking; they must be seized through unity—this is the true spirit and great message of Labor Day!