By Political Correspondent | Tripura 24.in
AGARTALA | May 21, 2026
AGARTALA: Demanding the immediate scrapping of the controversial central labor codes and seeking robust social security frameworks, the All Tripura Unorganized Workers Congress (TPUWC) held its state convention today. The high-profile workers’ assembly was organized at the auditorium of the historic Sakhicharan Vidyaniketan Higher Secondary School in Agartala.
The convention focused on the ongoing economic distress, wage stagnation, and a perceived reduction in legal protections for casual, agricultural, and unorganized sector laborers across the state.
Key Grievances Highlighted at the Assembly
The trade union leaders and delegates highlighted a growing list of challenges faced by construction laborers, transport operators, domestic workers, and rural daily-wage earners under current policies.
The Primary Objectives and Demands:
- Abolition of the Four Labour Codes: The convention passed an absolute resolution demanding the rollback of the central government’s four consolidated labor codes, which they argue dilute structural protections regarding work hours, occupational safety, and industrial relations.
- Expansion of Social Protection: Seeking an immediate increase in daily wages under state-monitored projects and seamless implementation of central provident and pension schemes for the informal sector.
- Protection of Lifelines: Demanding structured, uninterrupted funding frameworks for employment guarantee programs like MGNREGA to minimize rural migration.
“The Rights of 45 Crore Workers Are Under Threat”: MLA Gopal Chandra Roy
Veteran Congress leader and MLA Gopal Chandra Roy attended the convention as the Chief Guest, lighting the ceremonial lamp to kick off the political and structural sessions. In his address, he slammed current policies for favoring corporate interest models over human capital assets.
”Nearly 90% of India’s total workforce operates in the unorganized sector without formal contracts, medical insurance, or retirement guidelines. Instead of formalizing these spaces and safeguarding their hard-earned privileges, the current legislative push via the new labor codes is actively reducing the bargaining power of trade unions.
The Indian National Congress has historically pioneered laws like MGNREGA and the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act to provide a baseline floor of dignity. We stand firmly with our labor wings to fight these anti-worker directives on the streets and inside the legislative assembly,” MLA Gopal Chandra Roy told the convention delegates.
Strengthening the Grassroots Network
Presiding over the state assembly, Shantanu Pal, State President of the All Tripura Unorganized Workers Congress, mapped out the organizational blueprint for the upcoming quarters. He noted that the wing will set up dedicated registration clinics across all subdivisions to help informal laborers enroll in social security benefits, while simultaneously holding local demonstrations against predatory employment terms.
Senior Pradesh Congress executives, trade union activists, and regional representatives from all eight districts attended the sessions, which concluded with the election of a newly structured state executive committee tasked with scaling up labor agitations across Tripura.
