Sri Vijaya Puram | February 26, 2026
The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) on Wednesday organised rallies and protests across all districts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as part of a nationwide call to press for workers’ rights and welfare measures.
Demonstrations were held in Sri Vijaya Puram (South Andaman), Mayabunder (North and Middle Andaman), Diglipur, and Campbell Bay in Nicobar district. The protests were jointly staged by BMS-affiliated units and the Andaman Nicobar Rajya Karmachari Mahasangh.
The key demands raised during the protests included proper honorarium, incentives, and social security benefits for ASHA and Anganwadi workers, along with timely disbursal of their honorarium. The union also demanded that daily-rated labourers engaged in various departments under the A&N Administration — including the Health Department, Malaria Department, and Forest Department — be regularised. BMS representatives stated that workers currently engaged as “seasonal” employees for six months should be given year-round employment and recognised as government employees.
Another major issue highlighted was the job security of contractual employees working under outsourced contractors in government departments. The union urged that such workers should not be removed from service merely due to a change in contractor.
According to organisers, around 600 workers participated in the one-day protest across the Islands. In Sri Vijaya Puram, approximately 250 workers, including 150 women and 100 men, took part in the rally. In Mayabunder, about 50 Anganwadi and ASHA workers joined the protest, while Diglipur saw participation of around 250 women workers. In Campbell Bay, nearly 30 Anganwadi and ASHA workers took part.
Following the demonstrations, representatives submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister of India, the Union Labour Minister, and the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands through the respective Deputy Commissioners. In South Andaman, the memorandum was handed over to the Deputy Commissioner by representatives of various affiliated units.
BMS leaders asserted that the organisation remains committed to advocating for the welfare and rights of workers at the grassroots level and vowed to continue their struggle until the demands are addressed.
