Advocating “Just Work and Dignified Life for All Young Workers”

In commemoration of International Workers’ Day (May Day) 2026, Young Christian Workers (YCW) India, together with several trade unions in KGF, organized a solidarity rally and public campaign on May 1, 2026. Carrying the theme “Just Work and Dignified Life for All Young Workers,” the event became an important platform to raise the voices of young workers and advocate for social justice in the workplace.

This year’s May Day campaign highlighted various challenges still faced by workers, especially young workers, including low wages, job insecurity, wage inequality between men and women, and the lack of proper legal protection for workers across different sectors.

During the campaign, YCW India called on both the Central and State Governments to take concrete action to improve workers’ welfare. The key demands included increasing the minimum daily wage to ₹783, ensuring permanent employment and workplace security, providing equal pay for men and women, and increasing unemployment benefits for unemployed youth.

As a sign of workers’ solidarity, YCW India collaborated with fellow trade unions in KGF, including workers from BEML. This collaboration was expressed through a mass rally and public awareness campaign attended by workers from different sectors.

The rally began at 3:30 PM from the BEML Main Gate and proceeded to the Five Lights Labour Statue. Participants marched together carrying messages of justice, fair wages, and dignity for all workers.

In addition to demanding fair wages and stronger labour protection, participants also raised concerns about delays in addressing workers’ demands, the lack of job security for contract workers, delayed wage payments, and inadequate recognition of long-term service.

May Day 2026 was successfully observed as a strong collective movement of workers. The collaboration between YCW India and the trade unions in KGF demonstrated the power of unity and solidarity in advocating for workers’ rights and building a more just and dignified society for all.