Working Peoples' Charter

Due to the public transport lockdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of migrant workers are stranded, and we receive distress calls con Read morestantly. Workers are on the street without any food since past few weeks and also having to face police brutality. The most marginalised in this situation are pregnant women workers and children. With the lockdown, informal workers are left with no work and in turn no money to look after themselves and their families. Their daily wages is what puts food on their table; buys medicines and other essential items. They can neither afford sanitizers, masks or gloves nor access quality and affordable healthcare if diagnosed positive. We, the representatives of trade unions, civil society organizations, labour unions, and slum welfare unions under the banner of ‘working peoples’ charter’ (WPC) have a presence in all 20 states would like to make an urgent appeal to members of the public and concerned citizens to stand by vulnerable workers and support us in extending immediate relief to the as many stranded workers as possible. We provide dry rations, soap and PPE, and also spread awareness and advocate with the government to strengthen public healthcare and economic assistance.

WPC aims to build a democratic, sustainable and climate-just world where informal workers have access to rights, entitlements and better working conditions.

Founded in 2013, WPC has grown to a network of over 150 organizations and established initiatives like India Labourline and Labour Axis to support informal workers.