The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has demanded that the national minimum wage be fixed at ₹26,000 per month, as part of a resolution adopted at its national council meeting in Thrissur on Tuesday.The council urged the government to strictly adhere to the norms recommended by the 15th Indian Labour Conference and guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court of India while determining minimum wages. It also called for the withdrawal of moves to introduce a lower “floor wage” in the name of attracting investments.The resolution stressed the need to constitute State-level tripartite minimum wage advisory committees and hold regular consultations with trade unions on wage policies and labour issues. It also demanded strict action against employers violating minimum wage laws.Reaffirming its commitment to protecting labour rights, the AITUC said it would continue to push for the implementation of need-based minimum wages as guaranteed under the Constitution.Strategic sectorsThe council sharply criticised the Centre’s privatisation policies pursued under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan,” alleging that they favour corporate and foreign private interests at the cost of public sector growth. It warned that strategic sectors such as coal mining, pharmaceuticals, power generation, nuclear energy, space research, aviation and ports were increasingly being opened to private players.According to the resolution, such policies could deepen inequality, increase unemployment and lead to price rise, while enabling corporate dominance in key sectors.The AITUC national council also decided to organise nationwide protests against what it termed “anti-people and anti-worker policies” of the government. Published - June 02, 2026 08:35 pm IST