Informal workers—street vendors, domestic helpers, platform (gig) workers, construction labour, home based workers, sex workers, fisherfolk, scheme and health workers, forest workers, agricultural labour, garment workers and countless others—are the backbone of our economy. Despite their vital contribution, they are very poorly paid, work in hazardous conditions, lack security of employment and social protection. To address these injustices, the Working People’s Coalition (WPC) is organizing the All-India Shramik Yatra, a 14-state journey to amplify workers’ voices, demand fairness and extend labour unity.
WPC is a network (not a federation) of diverse organizations working with informal labour, in organizing, provision of services, policy advocacy, legal support etc. It is independent and broad based not politically affiliated as a network. It has state chapters in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. This yatra is meant to reach workers with the message and manifesto of the WPC, to expand and consolidate the movement, while getting the active support of the broadest section of workers on the main demands.
We need your support to make this transformative initiative – the Shramik Yatra – a success.
Why this Yatra matters
The Yatra is a movement to:
– Listen to workers: Hear firsthand their struggles and aspirations
-Advocate for change: Push policymakers at state and national levels for fair policies.
-Drive national dialogue: Bring together trade unions, government representatives, and civil society and even business to address critical issues facing informal workers.
The Yatra will culminate in Delhi, where actionable solutions for fairness, security, and dignity to workers will be presented to national leaders.
What we are we fighting for?
1. Universal Social Protection: Extend ESI (Employees State Insurance) to all workers, formal and informal.
2. Fair Wages: Guarantee a minimum wage aligned with living costs.
3. Social security benefits and safety net for self-employed workers.
4. Direct allowance for workers: Financial aid to informal workers registered through the e-Shram platform.
What we need your support for?
Organizing a yatra of this scale requires resources. Most of the support for the yatra is being generated locally, for example for food, local stay and meetings. However, for some expenses we urgently need more resources.
Especially for:
1. Travel and Logistics: Covering thousands of kilometers to reach workers nationwide.
2. Hosting meetings and dialogues to raise awareness in major cities.
3. Policy Advocacy: Preparing reports to influence policymakers.
4. Media Outreach: Amplifying workers’ voices and yatra demands across platforms.
We need FUNDS
Come forward and contribute:
Institutional Support: Sponsor travel, meetings, events and media work. For each state we are estimating an approximate expenditure of Rs 1.5 – Rs 1.8 lakhs per state for which contributions are needed from WPC member organizations and our partners.
Union and Individual Contributions: Donations much appreciated from Trade Unions, friends and comrades. All donations upwards of Rs 2000 are very welcome!
All funds and donations will be received in the Labour Axis Trust bank account. Donations to Labour Axis Trust are eligible for tax exemption under Section 80 G. Receipts will be promptly provided.
Bank Details for Contribution:
LABOUR AXIS TRUST
A/C No. 921020014268252
AXIS BANK | Malviya Nagar Branch, New Delhi.
IFSC Code: UTIB0000206
(Donations will be accepted in INR only)
Join the Movement
Let us protect and empower the lifeline of our nation. Together, we can create lasting change and build a fairer India where every worker is valued.
The time to act is NOW!!
Rajiv Khandelwal (for Resource Committee)
WPC Working Committee:
Dharmendra Kumar, LA Samy, Meena Menon, Raju Bhise (Convenors), Gayatri Singh, Rajiv Khandelwal, Shweta Damle, Sundar Babu, MA Britto, Bro. Varghese, Aseem Mishra, Chinmayi Naik, Bilal Khan, Sushovan Dhar, Abdul Shakeel, Rajesh Upadhyay, Prakash Kumar and Meena Seshu
WPC main office: S-609, Nehru Enclave, School Block, Shakarpur, Delhi-110092
Phone number: 011-45073277
Emai: [email protected]
