01 May 2021

'May Day' Observance

Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity (PBKMS) and Shramajivee Mahila Samity (SMS) observe May Day across 12 districts in West Bengal

'May Day' has always been a special occasion for unarguably the largest independent trade union of marginal farmers, agricultural workers and plantation workers in India. The struggle which began in 1988 with the enforcement of an eight hour work day for agricultural workers in the district of South 24 Parganas continues even today in upholding the constitutional rights of the unorganized sector workers within the farm and non farm sectors of the economy. PBKMS has been at the forefront whether in advocating for implementation of the provisions of MGNREGA, 2005 in its true spirits or for mobilizing plantation workers to struggle for the realization of their pending wages from unscrupulous tea garden owners. The systemic apathy of the state amidst a raging pandemic and rising inequality in the society points towards the relevance of May Day in the present times. The day gives us renewed hope and instills belief in the power of collective strength of the working class to march forward in our demand for an equal world order watering the dreams of a 'classless society'.

With strict adherence to social distancing norms and state government guidelines on gatherings, we have observed the sacred day across our field areas. Calls of 'Workers of the world unite' have reverberated through the morning air challenging the hegemonic grip of the bourgeois class over community resources.    

Senior leadership in Badu Collective, Madhyamgram preparing to hoist our union flag 

SMS leaders posing before indigenous paddy collecting systems in Konkondighi Gram Panchayat, Raidighi block, South 24 Parganas

Youth leaders unfurling the union flag in Uttar Dinajpur 

SMS activists raise their fists during sloganeering in Chapra, Nadia

Members observing a minute of silence in Siborampur, Namkhana, South 24 Parganas


Block leadership commemorating the day in Mathurapur, South 24 Parganas  

Puncha block in Purulia marks the day with a reduced attendance owing to a spike in covid-19 cases in the district

Activists of Belma block in Purulia raise slogans with the red flag of PBKMS flying high    

The following charter of demands has been sent to the political leadership on behalf of our union to ensure the access to necessary means of survival for vulnerable sections during the pandemic and the policy measures required to address the concerns of the working class:
  • Facilitating all economic activities in West Bengal with restrictions only in movement and access to certain enclosed public spaces like stadiums, shopping complexes, restaurants, etc.
  • Immediate formulation of a policy to facilitate the safe return of migrant workers stranded in states where partial or complete lockdown have been announced.
  • Provision of at least 200 days of guaranteed wage employment to each and every willing adult individual in rural areas under MGNREGA, 2005. Immediate roll out of a similar programme in urban areas.
  • Universalization of the Public Distribution System while ensuring a minimum quantity of 14 kilograms of food grains, 1.5 kilograms of pulses and 800 ml of edible vegetable oil per month for each and every individual.
  • Disbursal of a monthly sum of ₹7000 to vulnerable families, at least for six months.
  • Immediate rollback of the four labour codes and the three central farm laws which have the potential to disproportionately affect the interests of the unorganized sector workers and their families

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