10 trade unions to join farmers’ dharna against Agneepath

Ten Central Trade Unions (CTUs) in the opposition camp and several independent regional unions and unions on Thursday decided to support the ongoing agitation against the Agneepath scheme. CTUs will also participate in the protest called by the United Kisan Morcha on Friday.

The CTU said that they have noticed widespread anger and unrest from youth and other sections against the scheme. A joint statement said the scheme was designed to “suspiciously worsen and contingent” the quality of employment in the armed forces through fixed-term contracts. The unions said that such a step is being taken without any pension or any benefits like post-retirement medical aid and other social security. “It has dawned on those who appeared for the military selection test, who were looking for stable employment. Such a dubiously crafted scheme is likely to seriously degrade the quality of employment in the Armed Forces of the country, which, apart from undermining the morale and determination of our soldiers, is detrimental to the nation’s security and combat preparedness and would be disastrous.

The CTU asked the Center to consider the warnings of retired military commanders that Agneepath on the one hand would undermine the military establishment and, on the other, endanger the society at large when Agniveers are on the streets, unemployed and without pension.

The CTU said that the policies of the Center in the last eight years have put the common people in a lot of trouble. “The result is a relentlessly widening gap between rich and poor, unbearable price hikes, all-time high unemployment and the government using bulldozers against suspects. Agneepath is another step that aims to take the country into an uncertain future, with disastrous consequences. With Also necessary, are risking their lives,” he said.