“No new industries have come up and the employment scenario is very grim. Instead of solving these vital issues, the government is talking about smart cities,” said Dr Kango, while addressing the 16th State Conference of Communist Party of India at Azad Bhavan, Porvorim.
“We need planned cities and not smart cities. The government should provide houses to people at affordable rates. The time has now come for all workers to get together and fight for their rights,” said Dr Kango.
Turning his attention to the Central Government, Dr Kango further stated that 93 per cent of the workers are in unorganized sector.
“The central government has done nothing for the welfare of these workers. The workers must get minimum wage of Rs 15,000 per month, assured pension and medical benefits,” he said.
Taking a dig at the Narendra Modi–led BJP government, Dr Kango accused the BJP-led government of forgetting its poll promises on curbing price rise, providing employment to unemployed youth and bringing back black money stashed away in foreign banks.
“On the contrary, it has started pushing the remaining agenda of neo-liberalization to benefit corporate houses by opening India’s economy to foreign finance capital and launching an onslaught on democratic rights of the working class by amending labour laws,” he said.
CPI State Party Secretary Christopher Fonseca, State Party Secretary of Communist Party of India accused the State government of making several U-turns on their election promises.
“Among their promises included unemployment allowance to the unemployed youth, removal of casinos from the River Mandovi, resumption of mining activity, de-notification of the Regional Plan-2021 and appointment of the Lokpal within 100 days, but the government has failed to honour its commitment,” said Fonseca.
Insisting that the CPI would oppose privatization of Mopa airport, Fonseca added, “It is high time the government raise the minimum wages to Rs 15,000 per month and stop framing anti-labour laws, failing which the workers will have to launch a Statewide agitation.”
