Sri Vijaya Puram:
The INTUC Federation has announced the forthcoming visit of its National President Swaminath Jaiswal and National Senior Vice President Dr. Rajesh Garhia to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, with the Federation stating that the visit will focus on strengthening trade union activities and raising issues concerning workers and government employees.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at TSG Hotel, Phoenix Bay, on September 24, 2026. The press conference was addressed by TSG Bhasker, National Vice President, INTUC Federation; K.P. Usman, State President, INTUC Federation; and P. Kannan, General Secretary of the Forest Labour Union.
According to K.P. Usman, the national leadership is scheduled to be in the Islands from September 25 to 28, with several programmes planned during the visit. Pasted text
Focus on Strengthening Trade Unions
The speakers said the visit is intended to strengthen trade unions across different sectors and encourage workers to come together to raise issues concerning their rights and benefits.
Usman said workers are employed across both government and private sectors in the Islands and argued that trade union strength has weakened over time. He referred to workers in sectors including shipping, the Marine Dockyard, PWD, electricity and the Forest Department, while raising concerns about benefits and implementation of service-related provisions. Pasted text
The Federation also appealed to workers from government and private-sector establishments to participate in the programmes planned during the visit. Pasted text
Workers’ Meeting Scheduled for September 26
A major programme has been planned for September 26 at 4:00 PM at Ranchi Association Hall.
Usman said an aam sabha would be held with workers and employees, where the national president is expected to explain the Federation's proposed approach towards workers' issues and its interaction with the administration and departments. Pasted text
The organisers appealed to workers from different sectors, including private-sector employees, to participate in the meeting.
Concerns Over Outsourcing and Vacant Posts
P. Kannan, while explaining the Federation's position, raised concerns over outsourcing and the reduction of regular employment opportunities.
He alleged that outsourcing has increasingly been used in place of regular government appointments and argued that this could affect workers' wages, benefits and job security. He cited examples involving drivers and other departmental positions. Pasted text
Kannan also referred to vacant posts in departments and claimed that thousands of posts remain unfilled. He linked the issue to workload, accountability and the need for regular recruitment. Pasted text
Promotions and Employee Benefits
The speakers also raised concerns regarding timely promotions, LTC claims, leave salary, travelling allowances and settlement of employee claims.
Kannan said the Federation intends to raise issues concerning promotion channels and employee benefits, arguing that workers should receive the benefits and rights applicable to them. Pasted text
He also referred to the Federation's past efforts at the national level concerning promotion and financial benefits for government employees. These statements represent the speaker's account of the Federation's earlier activities and outcomes. Pasted text
Federation Seeks Wider Participation
The Federation said the national leadership's visit is intended to bring different unions together under a broader platform and strengthen their ability to raise workers' concerns.
Kannan said the Federation would seek to combine the demands of different unions and take them up with the administration, and, where necessary, at the central level. Pasted text
The press conference concluded with an appeal for workers to participate in the scheduled programmes and raise issues relating to employment, promotions, benefits, vacancies and working conditions.
Programme Details
- National leadership arrival: September 25, 2026
- Workers' General Meeting: September 26, 2026
- Time: 4:00 PM
- Venue: Ranchi Association Hall, Sri Vijaya Puram
- National President: Swaminath Jaiswal
- National Senior Vice President: Dr. Rajesh Garhia
Editorial Note: This report is based primarily on statements made by INTUC Federation representatives during the press conference. Claims and assessments concerning administration, outsourcing, vacancies, employee benefits and trade-union activity have been attributed to the speakers and have not been independently verified by Dweep Tulika.
Source: Dweep Tulika News — Press Conference at TSG Hotel, Phoenix Bay.