Senior BJP netas at the launch of the new unit
All the other unions that were controlled by Left and INTTUC stand dissolved, sources said. With the formation of the new union, the airport now has only two functional unions: Airport Kamgar Union, which is affiliated to Bharatiya Majdoor Sangh (BMS), and the new union. Kolkata: Bengal BJP on Saturday announced the formation of its own trade union cell at the city airport, named the NSCBI Airport Contractors Workers Morcha.
Both Bengal BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya and all-India general secretary Sunil Bansal termed this as a historical first in which BJP, as a party, has started its “official” trade union anywhere in India. “Ideologically or politically, we believe that if a political party has its own labour union, then whenever that party is in power, workers will not be able to protest or agitate against the govt regarding their rights, deprivations, or grievances,” Bhattacharya said. Bansal said that this is a “historic day” because of the formation of the party’s “first official labor union”. He said: “The launch of the BJP’s first official labour union is taking place at this airport. In the coming days, our labour union will begin in other places as well,” he said.
Bhattacharya said that the right to defend one’s rights is basic to democracy. But he also cautioned them to be careful of the “state’s image”. People have voted for a historic change a few months back, and it is our responsibility to make that change visible in all spheres,” he said.
He also urged the new union to focus on the needs of their colleagues — even suggesting the formation of a cooperative to financially help people in need. He also spoke on their basic demands for medical insurance and job security. “Bengal has given birth to three biggest political entities – Congress, the Jan Sangh and Communist parties. But Bengal was itself split.