District units of PBKMS submit memorandums and take out road shows to commemorate a historical day in our struggle to establish one of the world's largest public works programme
Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity (PBKMS) commemorated the beginning of our public works programme under the provisions of MGNREGA, 2005. The historical rights based legislation was enacted due to the organized struggle of our union and our allies across the nation to highlight the importance of 'right to work' to effectively establish the 'right to life' as enshrined in our constitution under article 21. A long struggle spanning 19 years mobilized the rural working class to successfully demand a rights based legislation guaranteeing work for adult members of a household. The cycle rally led by our activists from West Bengal to Delhi marked a decisive phase in the struggle to convince the state of the popular support behind the struggle. The 15th NREGA day was observed by our district units against the backdrop of rising demand for NREGA work in the aftermath of the pandemic and the systemic denial of work and other entitlements to workers by an apathetic bureaucracy.
On this day, our district units have submitted memorandums to the panchayat and block offices in the respective field areas to demand the proper implementation of the landmark piece of legislation. The Purulia district unit was further able to successfully demand the immediate release of new job cards to 80 households in the Hura block after an advocacy campaign. Our members also submitted work demand applications and took out small rallies in villages to remind us of the success of people's organizations in successfully advocating for NREGA and the challenges which need to be confronted to ensure the proper implementation of the same.
A rally taken out by our members in Chhatna block, Bankura
Our members with the PBKMS flag and charter of demands in Chhatna block, Bankura
Members after submission of deputation in a panchayat in Harirampur block, South Dinajpur
Despite the enactment of the MGNREGA, 2005 we are yet to witness the implementation of the same in its true spirits. We are also in need of a employment guarantee programme for the urban areas. The following demands have been raised by us to bolster the public works programme to secure a regular dignified income for rural households:
- Provision of job cards for every adult member of a rural household
- 200 days of wage labour for every adult member of a rural household
- Minimum daily wage of ₹600
- Priority of individual schemes for households
- Provision of alternatives to earth work for women
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