MGNREGA workers plan an all-India strike on May 15 against the repeal of the employment guarantee scheme, which takes effect on July 1.
NREGA Sangharsh Morcha and the All India Kisan Sabha have called for the nationwide strike by workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. The groups say the move responds to a Union Government notification issued on May 11 that repeals the Act on July 1.
The organisations describe MGNREGA as the only legal guarantee of employment for rural workers and a lifeline for poor peasants, agricultural labourers, women and rural youth. They cite budget cuts, delayed wages and the VB-G RAM (G) Act as factors that have weakened the programme.
Workers' groups are demanding a rollback of the VB-G RAM (G) Act, expansion of the scheme to at least 200 days of work, a minimum wage of ₹700 linked to inflation, and an end to exclusionary attendance systems such as facial recognition. They also want greater involvement of Gram Sabhas in planning and implementation.