Sri Vijaya Puram, May 30: In a renewed bid to restore the historic influence of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, a workers’ meeting was held at Gandhi Bhawan under the leadership of key INTUC Federation members. The session was spearheaded by TSG Bhasker, National Vice President, KP Usman, State President, and Anand Rao, Vice President of the Federation.
The central objective of the meeting was to revive and strengthen trade unionism across various government departments in the Islands. Addressing a room full of workers, the INTUC leadership underlined the urgent need for unity, reorganization, and empowered representation in the labour landscape.
TSG Bhasker and KP Usman reiterated the vital role that INTUC has historically played in protecting worker rights and promoting welfare across the country. They called upon island workers to recommit themselves to the Federation’s ideals, emphasizing that collective action is key to restoring dignity and security to the workforce.
The event also saw addresses by Mohd Rafique, Working President, INTUC Federation, Mohd Zubair, President of the City Congress Committee, M Bindu, Vice-President of the Federation, and Ibrahim Kolakkatil (Baba), President of the DSS Dockyard Employees Union. All speakers echoed a common theme: rebuilding solidarity among the working class to ensure fair treatment and sustained development.
Attendees included workers from critical sectors such as the Chatham Saw Mill, DSS Afloat Section, DSS Dockyard Section, Agriculture Department, Mini Zoo, and several other departments. These representatives actively supported the Federation’s renewed mission and expressed enthusiasm over the direction being taken.
As the meeting progressed, speakers highlighted how the fragmentation of unions had weakened their ability to negotiate better conditions for labourers. Participants strongly approved of calls for coordinated efforts, transparent communication, and grassroots involvement.
The atmosphere was charged with a sense of purpose as the Federation’s top brass emphasized long-term goals, including better work conditions, fair wages, and institutional recognition for various employee unions. They also hinted at upcoming plans to formally revive union chapters across the Islands, intending to build a cohesive and responsive worker ecosystem.
The INTUC Federation’s move is being seen as an important chapter in Andaman’s labour narrative. With local support and a clear roadmap in place, the Federation appears poised to reclaim its space as a central voice for workers’ rights in the region.
