The main objective of the proposed All India general strike on May 20 is to protect the livelihood of the people and to resist the growing corporatisation, which is a threat to their existence, according to N. Kanaka Rao, national president and chief activist of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), an affiliate of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of India (CFTUI).

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with a copy to the Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh L. Mandaviya, the ITUC national president noted that workers and farmers are facing a dire crisis, with rising prices of essential commodities, lack of job opportunities, and pro-corporate government policies on people’s livelihoods that have pushed millions into poverty.

Due to lack of affordable price for crops and lack of proper guarantee, farmers are burdened with debt. He explained that this protest is an attempt to unite workers and farmers in the struggle for their rights, dignity and survival to solve the problems of workers experiencing job insecurity, lack of minimum wage, deterioration of their social security, and non-implementation of labour laws.

The strike, in solidarity with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, called for a respect for international labour standards, adherence to ILO conventions, recommendations, protocols, declarations and commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030). The conclusion of the CAS Committee at the 2019 International Labour Conference also included allowing an ILO direct contact mission to India.

He called for immediate action to stop the privatisation of essential public sectors including Coal Mines, Banks, Insurance, Vizag Steel Plant (VSP), Port and Docks, and other profitable public sector enterprises, and to stop attacks on workers’ rights, farmers’ rights and human rights in India. The National Minimum Wage for all workers including unorganised sector workers, contract workers and scheme workers is ₹26,000 and demanded immediate implementation of equal pay for equal work to contract workers.

Social security for all categories of workers including unorganized workers and agricultural workers. Domestic workers, hawkers, rag-pickers, domestic workers, construction workers, migrant workers, scheme workers, agricultural workers, workers in shops and establishments, loading and unloading workers, gig workers, saltpan workers, beedi workers, rickshaw pullers, auto/rickshaw/taxi drivers, ex-patriot workers, fishing community should be enrolled in comprehensive social security including pension.