Udupi: Responding to a nationwide strike call by the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions (JCTU) and various independent sectoral associations, members of the All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA) and the Udupi District Traders Union organized a large-scale protest across Udupi on Tuesday.
Led by JCTU, demonstrators held a march from the CITU office to the Head Post Office, voicing strong opposition to recent labour law amendments and the central government’s perceived anti-worker policies. The rally saw hundreds of participants from various unions demanding the protection of labour rights and withdrawal of the new laws.
CITU state vice president Balakrishna Shetty, speaking during the protest, described this as the 25th bandh and stated that farmers were also extending their support. “We are staging this protest at a central government office to send a clear message. The government’s policies are threatening workers’ very livelihoods. While labour numbers grow, wages are falling. The government must stop favouring corporate interests over workers’ welfare,” he said.
A petition outlining workers’ demands was submitted to the Prime Minister via the Postmaster General.
Derick A Rebello, addressing the crowd outside the Udupi Division Office, condemned the proposed Insurance Law Amendment Bill, stating it would increase FDI to 100%, dilute capital requirements for new insurers, and reduce oversight. He criticized the ongoing privatization of public sector insurance firms and urged unified resistance.
Union general secretary K Vishwanath added that the introduction of four new labour codes—replacing 29 older laws—posed serious risks to worker protections.