New Delhi: The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, or BMS, has called for nationwide demonstrations on August 17, 2026, seeking action from the Centre on a long list
of pending labour demands. Its units have been asked to hold rallies, dharnas and demonstrations at district headquarters and submit memorandums to the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Labour Minister through local authorities.
The call was issued by the BMS Kendriya Karya Samithi after meetings held in Ranchi in the last week of July. The organisation said its 28 state units and 42 industrial federations will take part in the protest action.
What are the main demands?
Among the biggest demands is an increase in the EPS-95 minimum pension to ₹7,500, along with Variable Dearness Allowance linkage and Ayushman Bharat benefits.
BMS has also sought an increase in the ESI wage ceiling from ₹21,000 to ₹42,000 and the EPF ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹30,000.
Other demands include higher gratuity calculation, revision of the bonus calculation limit, formula-based minimum wages linked to living costs and equal pay for equal work for contract workers.
The union has also demanded a five-day banking week, filling of vacant government posts, an early Indian Labour Conference and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme.
BMS raises issue of Anganwadi, ASHA and other scheme workers
A major part of the statement focuses on scheme workers, including Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, Mid-Day Meal staff and National Health Mission workers.
BMS said the government should rethink how these workers are classified. It noted that the Anganwadi programme began in October 1975 and has now completed around five decades.
The organisation said, “Both governments want to take all services from these workers, yet they are still not ready to recognise them as workers.”
BMS also claimed that more than 10 million people work under such schemes and called for a separate policy suited to India’s large unorganised workforce.
Labour codes also under attack
BMS said it strongly opposes provisions in the Industrial Relations Code and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code.
It has demanded talks between the government and central trade unions, followed by amendments to provisions it considers harmful to workers.
The August 17 demonstrations are expected to put pension, wage, social security and contract labour issues back in focus ahead of further discussions with the Centre.
