Former Tripura CM Manik Sarkar accused the BJP-led government of ignoring workers’ interests, weakening labour welfare and restricting democratic rights, while demanding stronger social security, fair wages and welfare benefits at the Tripura Brick Kiln Workers’ Union state conference.
Former Tripura Chief Minister and CPI(M) Politburo member Manik Sarkar launched a strong attack on the BJP-led government, alleging that the interests and welfare of workers have been consistently neglected since the party came to power in the state.
Sarkar made the allegations while addressing the 7th State Conference of the Tripura Brick Kiln Workers’ Union at Bhanu Ghosh Smriti Bhavan in the Melarmath area of Agartala. Union leader Shankar Prasad Dutta, along with representatives and workers from different parts of Tripura, attended the conference.
In his address, the veteran Left leader alleged that the present government had failed to fulfil repeated assurances made to workers and labourers. According to Sarkar, adequate welfare measures, social security benefits and other forms of government assistance have not reached workers as promised.
He claimed that the government had largely confined itself to speeches and assurances instead of taking effective steps to address the problems faced by workers. Sarkar said issues related to wages, social protection and access to welfare schemes continued to remain major concerns for labourers across the state.
Drawing a comparison with the previous Left Front government, Sarkar said several initiatives had been introduced during its tenure to strengthen workers’ social security and protect labour rights. He maintained that worker welfare and government support had received greater priority under the earlier administration.
Sarkar also alleged that the overall condition of workers had deteriorated under the current BJP-led government. He further claimed that labour organisations were facing difficulties in conducting their activities and raising workers’ demands.
The former Chief Minister accused the government of creating what he described as an atmosphere of political domination, which, he alleged, had affected the ability of workers and their organisations to organise programmes and raise their demands through democratic means.
The state conference discussed several issues concerning brick kiln workers and other labourers. Participants raised demands for better protection of workers’ rights, improved social security and easier access to government welfare benefits.
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Union leaders also called for the protection of the democratic rights of labour organisations and urged authorities to take steps to address workers’ longstanding grievances.
The conference concluded with an appeal for a broader movement in the coming days to press for the fulfilment of workers’ demands. Leaders and representatives said sustained efforts would be necessary to ensure labour rights, welfare measures and social protection for workers in Tripura.
