May Day was celebrated by workers’ unions across the State on Friday with a clarion call for a concerted effort for protecting their rights. Rallies and public meetings marked the occasion. Emotions ran high during the May Day celebrations at Tirupati as worker unions expressed their woes in different ways. While some seemed jubilant, others lashed out at the ‘anti-worker policies’ of the governments.
Since morning, traffic at various junctions came to a grinding halt as workers took to the streets to celebrate the day. Rallies were led by workers who danced to songs which highlighted the struggles of working class. Equipped with flags and placards, workers raised slogans and sprayed colours ushering in a festive mood.
The workers’ unions also enacted plays depicting the ‘anti-worker policies’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Ministers N. Chandrababu Naidu and K. Chandrasekhar Rao and how the governments were trampling the rights of workers.
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On the other hand, activists of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) burnt an effigy depicting the Central government near Ramanuja Circle and demanded an immediate rollback in the increased petrol and diesel prices.
On the occasion, AITUC General Secretary P. Murali said the hike in prices of petrol and diesel was a ‘bad gift’ to the people, especially workers, and said that it would have a drastic effect on people who are already overburdened by costlier essential commodities.
Meanwhile, uniforms were distributed to auto drivers on the occasion. The Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India (Marxist) too blamed the governments for changing existing laws for accommodating the corporate sector. They further called upon workers to unite and fight for their rights.
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May Day was celebrated at Chittoor by political parties and their affiliated trade wings.
The workers’ associations led by TNTUC, CITU and AITUC wings took out an impressive rally in the town.