The 18th national conference of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) drew to a close in Visakhapatnam on Sunday after delegates finalised a programme of action aimed at strengthening the organisation and broadening support for workers’ struggles.
CITU national conference outlines priorities for workers
Delegates used the final day to adopt a clear plan of work focused on immediate demands, mass mobilisation and building alliances across civil society. Organisers said the conference sought to energise campaigns opposing policies they described as “anti-people” under the current central government and to position the union to win wider public backing.
On Saturday, participants debated the framework of tasks and the responsibilities individual units must shoulder. The general secretary was scheduled to respond to those deliberations on Sunday morning and to present a road map for the movement. The conference also received the treasurer’s report and the credentials report for formal approval.
With organisational housekeeping complete, delegates proceeded to elect new office-bearers, a general council and a working committee. The newly elected leadership will be charged with implementing the conference’s decisions and coordinating campaigns at state and national levels.
Conference organisers emphasised the dual aim of strengthening internal structures and extending the union’s reach into the wider community. The adopted programme commits the union to urgent action on key demands while seeking to build solidarity beyond the labour movement.
In the afternoon a workers’ rally set off from the RTC complex at the Ambedkar statue, drawing members and sympathisers to the municipal stadium where a public meeting was held. Senior leaders and new office-bearers addressed the gathering, laying out the conference outcomes and the next steps for collective action.
Cultural events formed an integral part of the day’s proceedings. Prajanatya Mandal activists performed revolutionary songs and dramatic pieces intended to communicate workers’ concerns to a broader audience and to reinforce the conference message.
Speakers at the public meeting reiterated the union’s intention to mobilise its members in pursuit of better wages, secure employment, social protections and democratic rights for workers. They called for sustained engagement from local communities to ensure that labour struggles gain the public legitimacy needed to effect change.
Observers said the conference demonstrated the organisational resilience of CITU and its capacity to translate internal debate into a structured programme of action. The emphasis on electing accountable leadership and on public outreach indicates a strategic push to revitalise the trade union’s presence in workplaces and communities alike.
As the new leadership takes office, key tests will include how effectively it implements the tasks agreed at the conference, how it builds alliances with other civil society groups, and how it frames demands so they resonate beyond traditional union membership. For now, the Visakhapatnam conference has set a clear timetable for action and signalled a renewed drive to advance the cause of organised labour across India.
Key Takeaways:
- CITU’s 18th national conference in Visakhapatnam concluded after setting a detailed programme to strengthen the organisation and mobilise public support.
- The CITU national conference prioritised worker mobilisation, adoption of task lists, and the presentation of financial and credentials reports for approval.
- Delegates elected new office-bearers, a general council and a working committee following organisational deliberations.
- A public rally and meeting at the municipal stadium featured senior leaders, cultural performances and songs by Prajanatya Mandal.
