Responding to a nationwide call by trade unions AITUC, CITU, and CTU, workers observed a Black Day on April 1 in protest against the implementation of labour codes. A large gathering was organized at Gate No. 22 in Amritsar under the leadership of Comrade Mohan Lal and Comrade Kirpa Ram, where participants demanded the immediate withdrawal of the four labour codes.
Leaders of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, including Comrade Satnam Singh Ajnala and Lakhbir Singh Nizampura, attended the protest along with several supporters, expressing solidarity with the workers’ movement.
Addressing the gathering, speakers including Comrade Amarjit Singh Ansal, Sucha Singh Ajnala, and Jagtar Singh Karampura explained the significance of the protest day. They stated that the agreement regarding wage rates signed with employers expired on January 31, 2026.
Union representatives said that a notice had already been issued to employers demanding an increase in wage rates. However, no response has been received so far. The unions have now given employers time until April 10, 2026, to initiate dialogue and finalize revised wage rates.
They warned that if employers fail to respond within the given deadline, trade unions will hold meetings on April 10 and may announce a strike.
The leaders further informed that a protest demonstration will be organized on April 6 outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, in which workers will also participate. Farmer leaders announced full support for the trade unions’ agitation.
Several union members and workers, including Charanjit Majitha, Vijay Kumar, Shamsher Singh, Dharampal, Balbir Singh, Mangal Singh, Dharam Singh Bhatti, and Bhagwant Singh, were present in large numbers during the protest.
