Hunger strike launched against wage denial

K.P. Reji, State president of the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ), observed a 24-hour fast in front of the head office of Madhyaman daily at Vellimadukunnu in Kozhikode district on Monday (February 16), alleging wage denial and anti-worker policies by the management.

The protest received support from trade union activists and journalists from various media organisations, who gathered at the venue to express solidarity. The protest was inaugurated by K. T. Kunhikannan, Director of the Kozhikode-based Keluettan Study and Research Centre.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kunhikannan alleged that the management was attempting to retrench employees by taking advantage of the labour codes introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the workers’ agitation against such measures would receive support from Kerala’s broader civil society.

KUWJ State general secretary Suresh Edappal outlined the reasons behind the ongoing protest. INTUC District president K. Rajeev delivered the keynote address, while Jaison Mathew, secretary of the Kerala Newspaper Employees Federation (KNEF), presided over the inaugural meeting.

Leaders, including P. K. Nasser, State secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress; T.M. Abdul Hameed, State vice president of KNEF; and Lolita, National Council member of the Self-Employed Women’s Association, also addressed the gathering.