Agartala: Mar 17: On March 24, a 16-point drive will be held demanding urgent reforms for unorganized road transport workers. The key demands include a social security law, the withdrawal of Sections 106(1) and 106(2) of the Indian Penal Code, and amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act 2019 in favor of workers. This drive will be supported by workers across the country, including Agartala, where a procession was organized by the All India Road Transport Workers Federation on Monday. The procession started from Office Lane and moved through various streets of the city, drawing attention to the pressing concerns of transport workers.
The procession saw the presence of CITU State President Manik Dey, CITU leader Amal Chakraborty, and several other labor leaders. Manik Dey addressed the gathering, highlighting that over 10 crore transport workers are currently facing severe hardships. He pointed out that under the current government, workers’ livelihoods are severely impacted due to issues such as unpaid wages, lack of medical treatment, and insufficient working conditions. He stressed that the wages of transport workers, including those in Tripura, are not realistic and have been decreasing day by day, making it impossible for workers to support their families.
Dey also criticized the double-engine government’s policy, claiming it is systematically undermining the transport sector, making workers more vulnerable. He added that the government is increasingly burdening transport workers with higher taxes to cover the budget deficit. Furthermore, he raised concerns over the involvement of some transport agencies in drug trafficking, where drivers are often arrested and left to face the consequences while their families suffer. He demanded better protections for these workers, urging the government to address their issues and increase their wages significantly.
