Crucial Role of Trade Union Organizations in Anti-Corporate and Capitalist Struggles: Kawaljit Singh

Open Challenge to Government on Outsourcing Policy and Pensions: Amrik Singh

Kapurthala, May 1, 2025 –

On the occasion of International Labor Day, a massive tribute meeting was organized today by the RCF Employees Union at the Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, where hundreds of dedicated employees united to pay heartfelt homage to the immortal martyrs of May Day and raised a strong voice against the government’s alleged anti-labor policies.

The program commenced with the significant flag hoisting ceremony, which was carried out with utmost respect by retired senior employees of RCF. Following this, the assembled gathering remembered the labor struggles and the martyrs of May Day by chanting slogans such as “Long Live the Martyrs of Chicago” and “Red Salute to the Martyrs of May Day,” symbolizing the unwavering unity and steadfast resolve of the working class.

Addressing the employees, Amrik Singh, President of the RCF Employees Union and National Joint Secretary of the National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS), shed light on the serious challenges prevalent in the Rail Coach Factory. He expressed particular concern over the rapidly increasing trend of outsourcing within the RCF premises by the administration, terming it a direct violation of the rights of regular employees. Singh reiterated the firm determination to further intensify the nationwide movement for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). While regretting the postponement of the historic demonstration of 2 million employees in Delhi due to the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, he sent a clear message to the government that employees are prepared to fight every possible battle to secure their future. He issued a stern warning to the administration, stating that if the expansionist policies of outsourcing are not immediately halted and concrete steps are not taken towards restoring the Old Pension Scheme, the union will be compelled to launch a widespread and decisive movement.

Comrade Kawaljit Singh, State President of the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Chandigarh, strongly criticized the current government’s pro-corporate policies, which, according to him, are continuously weakening the interests of the working class. He also vehemently condemned the indiscriminate privatization of public sector undertakings, calling it against the national interest. He stated that the May Day celebration at RCF is an example for the entire country on how the martyrs of May Day can be remembered. Organizing May Day gatherings in this manner in the new era of corporate and capitalist policies is a new beginning and a warning to the Government of India that if the government does not focus on the main issues of the workers, the workers possess their greatest strength – unity and their will to fight – which is inspired by gatherings like May Day. He appealed to the young employees to come forward and work in labor organizations, stating that the enthusiasm of the youth can change the current situation of the country, and the unity of the youth is crucial to struggle against corporate and capitalist policies. Comrade Kawaljit Singh called for vigilance against divisive forces that seek to divide society in the name of religion and caste, and asserted that the unity of the working class is the most powerful weapon to face any challenge. He strongly condemned the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam and directly held the government responsible for serious lapses in the security arrangements. He also called upon the workers in the unorganized sector to unite and join the union, and to make them aware of their rights and entitlements.

Addressing today’s program, the officials of OBC, SC & ST, IRTSA, and Engineer Associations stated that the Rail Coach Factory is currently going through its worst phase due to the anti-labor and anti-national policies of the Government of India. The increasing level of outsourcing is dangerous for the future of RCF, and the battle to protect the rights of the workers is most important at this time. Therefore, all of us must move forward together in this fight, and uniting to struggle for the rights of the workers is the need of the hour.

The state proceedings were conducted by Bharat Raj, Organizing Secretary of the Union, and Gurjinder Singh filled the employees with enthusiasm by singing the flag song “Eh Pyare Parcham Lal” after the flag hoisting and paid tribute to the martyrs of May Day.

Hundreds of RCF employees, including Amrik Singh Gill, Talwinder Singh, Trilochan Singh, Bachitar Singh, Narendra Kumar, Pradeep Singh, Manjit Singh Bajwa, Jaspal Singh Sekhon, Avtar Singh, Harpreet Singh, Ashwini Kumar, Prakash Chand Meena, Shivraj Meena, Karan Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar, Jatinder Rana, Jagdeep Singh, Jagjit Singh, Pankaj Kumar, Vikas Mani, Sonu Kumar Shah, Gurpreet Singh Cheema, and many others, participated in the May Day program, demonstrating their unity.