Economic Equality: Cong’s Revolutionary Rs 400 Minimum Wage

Amidst the bustling streets of New Delhi, the Congress reaffirmed its commitment to ‘Shramik Nyay’ on the occasion of International Labour Day, emphasizing its pledge of a national minimum wage of Rs 400 per day, deeming it the authentic ‘400 paar’. Jairam Ramesh, the general secretary of the Congress, enumerated the party’s assurances to the labor force, lamenting the past decade as an era of injustice (‘anyay kaal’) for them.

In commemorating International Labour Day, it becomes imperative to recollect the ‘Shramik Nyay’ guarantees delineated in the Congress Nyay Patra for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Ramesh asserted. Expounding on these guarantees, Ramesh elucidated that the Congress vows to uphold ‘Shram ka Samman’ (Dignity for Labour) by ensuring a national minimum wage of Rs 400 per day, encompassing beneficiaries of MGNREGA.

“This stands as the genuine ‘400 paar’,” remarked Ramesh during a press briefing in the capital, subtly mocking the BJP’s ‘400 paar’ campaign, which pledges to secure over 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections for the NDA. Ramesh insinuated that the BJP’s rallying cry of ‘400 paar’ harbors intentions of constitutional alteration.

Brandishing a copy of the Constitution, Ramesh contended that the RSS has persistently advocated for the amendment of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution since its inception in 1950. Enumerating additional ‘Shramik Nyay’ guarantees, Ramesh stated that the Congress assures “Sabko Swaasthya Adhikaar” (Universal Right to Health), proposing Rs 25 lakh universal health coverage, inclusive of complimentary diagnostics, medications, treatments, and surgeries.

Furthermore, the Congress pledges ‘Shehri Rozgar Guarantee’ (Urban Employment Guarantee), introducing a novel employment guarantee legislation for urban locales. Ramesh also highlighted the Congress’s commitment to providing life and accident insurance for unorganized laborers.

Lastly, Ramesh affirmed the Congress’s intent to abolish the contract system prevalent in core governmental functions, promising a shift towards more secure employment arrangements.