Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 27: The Indian National Trades Union Federation, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, organised a State-Level Workers Conference at Ranchi Association Hall on 26th September, bringing together hundreds of workers from Chatham Saw Mill, DSS, APWD, Municipal and various other government departments.
The conference commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries, followed by the presentation of shawls to the distinguished guests.
The conference was held under the chairmanship of veteran trade union leader Mr. Hamid Ali and under the leadership of Mr. K.P. Usman, State President, INTUC Federation, A&N Islands.
Mr. Swaminath Jaiswal, National President, INTUC Federation, graced the conference as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Rajesh Garhia, National Senior Vice President, INTUC Federation and Mr. TSG Bhasker, National Vice President attended as the Guest of Honour’s and addressed the conference on various challenges faced by workers and the need for stronger trade union representation.
The conference was also attended by special guests Mrs. Zubaida Begum, State President, Mahila Congress; Mr. Tamilselvan, Spokesperson, ANTCC; and Mr. Senthil, General Secretary, RGPRS.
The conference was also addressed by Mr. O. Bashir, National Secretary, INTUC Federation; Mr. Mohd. Rafi, General Secretary; Mr. Anand Rao, Vice President; Mrs. M. Bindu, Vice President; and Mr. P. Kannan, General Secretary, INTUC Federation,
Among those present were Mr. Ibrahim Kolakattil (Baba), President DSS Dockyard Employees Union, Mr. Siddappa Reddy (Kumar), Secretary, Works Committee, Mill Division, Chatham; Mr. Balakrishna, Vice President, Forest Labour Union, along with several departmental representatives.
A major focus of the conference was the revival and strengthening of the Congress trade union movement in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The leadership called for efforts to re-affiliate departmental unions that were historically associated with the Congress trade union.
The conference resolved to intensify organisational activities across the Islands, expand the reach of INTUC Federation and ensure that the concerns of workers are taken up effectively before the concerned authorities.
