Sri Vijaya Puram, May 1:
In a spirited celebration of May Day, the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) Federation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands organized a powerful workers’ rally on May 1, drawing hundreds of participants from various sectors. The rally stretched from Chatham Saw Mill to Hanuman Junction, Haddo via the Forest Labor Club, underscoring the enduring significance of International Workers’ Day as a symbol of labor unity and rights.
Led by INTUC (Federation) National Vice-President and Forest Labour Union President TSG Bhasker and INTUC (Federation) State President K.P. Usman, the event saw strong participation from workers, union leaders, and local political figures, all marching shoulder to shoulder in a display of solidarity.
Prominent leaders including senior Congress figure Hamid Ali, INTUC General Secretary Mohd. Rafique, Mahila Congress President Zubaida Begum, City Congress President Mohd. Zubair, and Mahila Congress leader M. Bindu lent their active support to the rally, highlighting cross-party and cross-sector backing for workers’ causes. Their presence added weight to the rally’s calls for fair treatment, just wages, and improved working conditions for the region’s labor force.
Members of the Forest Labour Union’s Mill Division, Chatham, played a key role in both organizing and participating in the rally, showcasing the unity and resilience of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ labor movement. The turnout reflected a broad base of worker concerns spanning forestry, milling, public services, and informal sectors , all coming together under the INTUC banner.
Addressing the gathered crowd, TSG Bhasker stressed the need to safeguard workers’ rights at a time when changing industrial practices and economic pressures risk marginalizing vulnerable labor groups. He called for fair wages, dignified working conditions, and enforcement of labor laws that protect workers from exploitation.
Echoing these themes, K.P. Usman urged for stronger labor policies that strike a balance between industrial growth and social justice. He pointed out that true progress cannot come at the cost of workers’ well-being and that unions play a critical role in holding both employers and policymakers accountable.
The rally concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to continue the fight for labor welfare and justice. Workers took a collective pledge to stand united in demanding fair treatment and to push for policy reforms that reflect the evolving needs of the labor force, particularly in the unique socio-economic landscape of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
INTUC leaders underscored that May Day is not just a commemoration of past struggles, but a living reminder of the ongoing fight for equity, dignity, and rights in the workplace. They urged workers to remain vigilant, informed, and engaged in the broader labor movement to ensure that gains hard-won over decades are not rolled back.
Local union leaders pointed out that the challenges facing workers in the islands are often compounded by geographic isolation, limited access to legal resources, and the pressures of a tourism-driven economy. They called for a renewed focus on labor rights as part of the region’s development strategy.
With this year’s May Day rally, INTUC and its affiliated unions have signaled a strong intent to keep workers’ issues at the forefront of public discourse in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Leaders emphasized that meaningful change will require not only vocal advocacy but also sustained negotiation with government bodies, employers, and industry representatives.
As the rally participants dispersed, the message remained clear: the fight for labor rights is far from over, and the Andaman labor community stands ready to push forward , united, resilient, and determined.
