View from the Left

Labouring the pointFlexibility is a dirty word for the Left when it is refers to the labour market. People8217;s Democracy tells you why in...

Labouring the point

Flexibility is a dirty word for the Left when it is refers to the labour market. People8217;s Democracy tells you why in a report on the Prime Minister8217;s 8220;servile resonance of employers8217; chants8221; on labour market reforms at the recent Indian Labour Conference. The Left evidently believes that the 8220;onslaught on workers8217; rights and livelihood8221; is directed from the very top, and CITU member Tapan Sen who writes the piece accuses the PM of talking of speeding up labour reforms to introduce a hire- and-fire policy that can only benefit employers. CITU suggested amendments to the Minimum Wages Act to ensure periodic revision of basic wages and the removal of ceilings in the Payment of Bonus Act, Payment of Wages Act and Workmen8217;s Compensation Act.

Recall this

This week8217;s editorial on the cash-for-questions scandal supports the 8220;right of recall8221; as necessary for punishing elected representatives if they indulged in 8220;political immorality8221; or failed to keep election promises. The CPIM also suggests reconsideration of immunity granted to MPs. 8220;The immunity and consequent privileges given to elected members cannot be allowed to act as a tacit licence for corruption and graft,8221; the editorial says. As for action against guilty MPs in the cash-for-questions scandal, it suggests that nothing short of expulsion from the House and penal action will act as a deterrent for the future. There is of course more than a bit of back slapping as the scam did not touch the CPIM 8212; the editorial does not mention the 8220;Left8221; as a whole. 8220;The sole and honourable exception, once again, has been the CPIM,8221; it solemnly says.

To the village

A report on West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee8217;s rally in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas provides clues to issues that will be raised by the CPIM to cash in on its rural base. The CM spoke about poverty alleviation and employment generation as the focus of the state government8217;s rural development plans apart from improving the health and education infrastructure and a more active role for the panchayati raj institutions. In fact, Bhattacharjee outlined five main tasks for the panchayati raj institutions 8212; development of rural roads, complete rural electrification in a year, widening the supply network of potable water, strengthening the sewerage system and giving more powers to the self-help groups. The meeting could be the party8217;s way of trying to secure its rural strongholds that have been under attack in recent days.

Acts of class

While West Bengal bends over backwards to gather private and foreign investment, state party secretary Anil Biswas told the Party School that the development work undertaken by the Left Front government was very much a part of class struggle.

Compiled by Ananda Majumdar