Street vendors, trade unions stand united on May Day

Hundreds of street vendors staged a protest at Jantar Mantar on May Day demanding stringent law to ensure protection of livelihood and social security on May Day.

The protest was organised by the National Association of Street Vendors of India.The vendors also demanded pension facilities for those above 50 years of age, irrespective of their below poverty line status. They raised slogans such as “stop ignoring vendors voice” and “nothing for us without us”.

Arbind Singh, national coordinator of the federation said a strong and effective law is needed which will prevent municipal corporation officers and the police from exploiting vendors.

“We are happy to know that the ministry of housing and urban poverty alleviation is engaged in drafting a bill. But the draft bill does not address issues faced by vendors,” he added.

Major issues to be incorporated in the bill include recognising vendors working on railway platforms, provision to protect weekly markets, committee for grievance cell and others. The vendors suggested the idea of starting night markets to promote Delhi as a tourist hub.

Around 50 members from the All India Federation for Trade Unions (AIFTU) demanded better remuneration and abolition of anti-worker policies.

They were holding placards that read, “Shram mantri shram karo (Be ashamed, labour minister)” and “Mazdoor union zindabad (Long live workers’ union).”

“We are fighting for our basic rights like sufficient pay for our work so as to have financial security. But our demands have fallen on deaf ears,” said Manoj Pandey, member of AIFTU.