The Mazdoor Mukti Morcha (Liberation), along with the MGNREGA Union and AICCTU, held a massive rally and gherao on 18 August at the district secretariat demanding higher wages, more workdays, and social security for rural workers under NREGA. Hundreds of workers, including women, joined the protest.
Deputy Commissioner Kulwant Singh personally received the memorandum and assured action, following which the gherao was lifted. Speakers including Comrade Balwinder Singh Gharangan, Rajvinder Singh Rana, and peasant union leaders warned against budget cuts, land-grab schemes, and attacks on workers’ rights.
Key demands included raising NREGA wages to Rs. 1000, 200 days of guaranteed work, pensions at par with government employees, and measures to stop contractor entry into NREGA works. Farmer unions also extended full support to the workers’ struggle.
