Politicians in Kerala Mark International Workers' Day

Kerala Governor and Assembly Speaker extended May Day greetings, acknowledging the contributions of the working class. CITU called for a proper celebration, urging action against inequality and imperialism. The trade union highlighted concerns about job losses due to globalization, contract labor, and AI automation.

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer on Tuesday extended May Day greetings to the people of the southern state and appreciated the efforts of the working class in the state.

Khan in his greetings on the eve of May Day, which is celebrated world over on May 1, said the industry and commitment of the working people of the state ''facilitate the progress of our nation and the world''.

''I wish them greater success in refining their skills and in guarding their rights and dignity through harmony,'' he said in a Facebook post.

Shamseer, in a statement issued by his office, said May Day was a commemoration of the hard work of workers and their struggle for rights, which are the foundation of the world economy.

The state secretariat of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) -- the CPI(M)'s trade wing -- also extended May Day greetings and called for its proper celebration.

The CITU, in a Facebook post, said that this year May Day, the international workers day, was being celebrated at a time when the voice of the working class should be raised against the ''inequality created by globalization and neoliberalism'' as well as ''against imperialism's lust for war and fascism''.

Elamaram Kareem, state general secretary of the CITU, urged everyone to observe May Day properly by organising rallies, including at district and area centers, in coordination with all relevant organizations.

In the post, CITU claimed that presently workers have lost many of their rights, including the right to organise, permanent jobs were being replaced with contract labour, casual labour or apprenticeships and there was no job stability with the advent of artificial intelligence.

''Even in cutting-edge companies in the online and IT sectors, the labor situation is dire. As the application of artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence etc. is widespread in various fields, employment and job stability are disappearing,'' the CITU claimed in its post.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)