In the statement released by the National Committee of the All India Federation of Elementary Teachers Organizations (AIFETO),
“Comrades, Fellow Workers, and Patriots!
On the 9th of July, 2025, the Indian working class is at a historical crossroads. All Central Trade Unions have issued a common call for an All-India General Strike, a forceful and irrevocable appeal against the anti-worker policies of the central government. AIFETO appeal to each comrade, each worker, and each citizen who feels justice and equality, to make this strike a tidal wave of success!
Central Government’s Attack on Workers’ Rights:
This central government has for long been keeping the livelihood concerns of the working class on the back-burner, while incessantly pursuing pro-corporate measures. Their four anti-worker Labour Codes are not legislation; they are a blow to the very essence of trade union rights and the decades of struggle by the working class. These codes aim to take away job security, destroy collective bargaining, and open up the path to outright exploitation. We cannot, and we will not, remain passive while our rights are undermined.
Privatisation Threatens National Assets
The agenda of the government is not merely labour law change. It is also making an aggressive move to privatise vital public sector enterprises, strategic areas like defence and information technology among them. These are not ordinary businesses; they are the strength of our country’s sovereignty and self-reliance. Leaving them in the hands of profit-seeking private corporations is a violation of the trust reposed in a government that is supposed to defend national interests and not destroy them. The consequences for national security, public service quality, and jobs are serious.
July 9: Political and Economic Struggle of the Working Class
The July 9 general strike is more than a demonstration; it is a historic political and economic battle of the working class. We think that the effect of this strike will compel the government to respond to urgent concerns such as endemic unemployment and just claims of our young people. The ancient call for “equal pay for equal work” will have a mighty echo through this strike, as we struggle for justice and dignity in all workplaces.
It is not a fight of only one segment of society. Farmers, agricultural workers, women’s groups, youth groups, and student unions – the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) included – have all committed themselves to support and issued a call to action to join this strike. This sense of purpose, this mass-based solidarity, is our strength!
The Attack on Education: Privatisation and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
The education system, the backbone of our country’s future, is under constant onslaught of privatisation. The central government is actively denying state governments the kind of support needed to safeguard and uplift public schools. Rather, it is forcing states to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, an outright violation of the rightful domain of the state in creating its own education policy.
We observe this coercion at work: central government money is being held back unless states implement the PM Shri schools scheme and the controversial three-language policy. The central government still refuses states their due place by not transferring education back to the State List from the Concurrent List. We are convinced that state education policies need to be determined by respective state governments – the central government has no right to meddle!
A Victory for Mother Tongue!
Maharashtra’s recent successful resistance to the imposition of the three-language policy is a strong example. The state language, Marathi, and its attendant rights have been preserved. We hold the opinion that the mother tongue, along with English for common use, is ideal enough. We are not opposed to those who will-fully opt for learning other languages, but any effort at imposition has to be resolutely rejected.
Demand for Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and End to Contractualization:
The decision by the central government to introduce a consolidated pension scheme is unacceptable. We categorically demand only the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and reject both the New Pension Scheme (NPS) and the consolidated scheme. Additionally, contractual employment and outsourcing appointments have to be totally done away with.
These exploitative strategies rob employees of job security and reasonable wages. We insist that 6% of the GDP must be earmarked for education and all the vacant posts in the field of education must be filled within no time. The school merger policy must be dropped and government schools must be accorded top priority. The whole policy of privatisation of education must be terminated forthwith.
Reclaiming Our Rights: A Call to Action!
Just as states were deprived of educational rights during the British colonial regime, they are being deprived now by the present central government. We have to take back these rights! Come one, come all of us to join this General Strike to retrieve what is ours. AIFETO joins the call for the All-India General Strike and will organise nationwide solidarity protests — we shall rise again, stronger and more united!
In Tamil Nadu, JACTTO-GEO has already made its decision to join the general strike, and government college teachers are also participating. All office bearers at the district, block, and state levels will take part in the strike, and we will all jointly conduct solidarity protests. AIFETO stands in solidarity with the July 9 strike — nationwide protests will echo our resolve. We rise again, with renewed strength! Comrades, Let Us Struggle for a Fair and Equal Future! Inquilab Zindabad!” the statement asserts.
Contact AIFETO Annamalai @ 94442 12060 / 9962222314. annamalaiaifeto@gmail.com
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