The Hindu Business Line : Concern over marginalisation of working class

THE growing marginalisation of the working class as a result of the process of globalisation is a cause for great concern, said Dr M.K. Pandhe, President, Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU). He made this observation while inaugurating the 13th conference of the All India Reserve Bank Employees Association (AIRBEA) here.

The marginalisation of the working class is one of the greatest dangers facing the trade union movement, Dr Pandhe said. In fact, the future of the trade union movement itself is at stake as a result of globalisation, he said. Similarly, he pointed out that there is a need to understand that the right to strike is a "fundamental right" of the working class.

Earlier, in his address to the gathering, Mr N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, pointed out that communalism and the problems of globalisation are central issues for India. There is a need to reassert the principle of secularism in India by ensuring that politics and religion do not mix, he added.

Mr Ram, who was the Chief Guest at the conference, said that there are some positive signs in the Indian economy. However, these positive signs are accompanied by some glaring contradictions, he added. For instance, in the matter of food grains, there is the issue of "grain mountains versus starving millions," he pointed out.

The Central Government and various State Governments have not been able to make use of the country's substantial stocks of food grains to reduce deprivation by launching `food for work' programmes, said Mr Ram.

Mr Ram also touched on a range of economic, social and political issues of national and international importance. Mr T.K. Ghosh, President, AIRBEA, presided over the function. Others who addressed the gathering included Ms J. Chandra, Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram and Mr Samir Ghosh, General Secretary, AIRBEA.