The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has announced that it will observe 25 February 2026 as “Protest Day” across the country. The decision was taken after the 21st All India Conference held in Puri, Odisha.
On this day, BMS units across India will organise dharnas and demonstrations at all district headquarters. The aim is to put pressure on both the Central Government and State Governments to resolve the long-pending issues faced by workers in different sectors and industries.
Government Response Called Inadequate
BMS said it has repeatedly raised many important issues before the Government. However, according to the organisation, the response from the authorities has been lukewarm and inadequate.
Problems Faced by Workers
BMS highlighted that lakhs of Mid-Day Meal workers and ASHA workers are receiving very low honorariums. Even after working for decades, Anganwadi workers are still treated only as scheme workers.
The organisation said many Anganwadi workers are forced to work more than 10 hours a day, and their workload keeps increasing. Despite this, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has not increased their honorarium and continues to give them additional responsibilities.
BMS has demanded enhancement of the monthly honorarium for all scheme workers and regularisation of scheme workers and contract workers in line with Articles 14, 15, 16, and 21 of the Constitution of India.
Wage Dues in PSUs
The organisation also raised concerns about workers in several Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
Workers of National Textile Corporation (NTC) Mills in eight states have been receiving only 50% wages since the pandemic. Salaries have been pending for the last ten months.
Employees of Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC), Ranchi, have not received their salaries for the past 32 months. BMS said similar problems exist in other units as well.
The organisation demanded immediate payment of wage dues in PSUs such as NTC Mills, HEC Ranchi, ITI, HMT, and others.
Minimum Pension Under EPS-95
BMS strongly criticised the minimum pension of ₹1,000 under EPS-95, saying it has remained unchanged for years and is causing severe hardship to lakhs of pensioners.
The organisation demanded that the minimum pension under EPS-95 be increased from ₹1,000 to ₹7,500 per month, along with Dearness Relief.
Five-Day Work Week for Bank Employees
BMS said bank employees are also demanding implementation of a five-day work week. The organisation has demanded the introduction of a five-day work week in the banking industry.
Labour Laws and Bonus Limit
Among other key demands, BMS has called for:
- Strict and universal implementation of labour laws across all sectors and categories of workers without exception, in the true spirit of Antyodaya.
- Addressing workers’ concerns in the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.
- Immediate convening of the Indian Labour Conference and reconstitution of various tripartite committees to ensure proper and effective functioning for workers’ welfare.
- Enhancement of threshold limits for coverage under ESI and EPF so that more workers can get benefits.
- Increase in the eligibility ceiling for payment of bonus under the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, according to present wage levels.
- Immediate lifting of the ban on general recruitment and ensuring guaranteed employment with job security to remove uncertainty in service conditions.
Protest Activities Planned
On 25 February, BMS units will hold dharnas, protests, demonstrations, rallies, and gate meetings. Workers will also wear black badges.
Memorandums will be submitted through district authorities to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Union Labour Minister, and the Chief Ministers of respective states.
Appeal to Governments
BMS has urged both the Central and State Governments to take urgent and positive action to address these long-standing demands in the interest of workers and national development.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
