Dharmendra Kumar

Patna University, St Stephen's, researcher activist, organizer, campaigner, pet lover, informal labour, Trade policy

[सूरज सिंह/Suraj Singh 🇮🇳 @SurajSolanki]

हीटवेव में स्ट्रीट वेंडर्स पर "रहम" करे सरकार, राहत की दरकार.

@SandhyaTimes4u @NBTDilli

[Amazon India Workers Union @AiwuInd]

@dharmendraind addressing #labourday meeting vo organized by @AiwuInd @gigwaindia @hawkersjac #NALR

[Dharmendra Kumar @dharmendraind]

#labourday

[Dharmendra Kumar @dharmendraind]

https://t.co/0QKOdBvLtm

[Rdx Rajesh sisodia @sisodia_rdx]

Amazon India warehouse workers are struggling due to rising inflation.#makeamazonpay @dharmendraind @AiwuInd @uniglobalunion #crisis #amazonindia #bjp #lpggasissue

[Avani Bansal @bansalavani]

Did you know that heatwaves are still not notified as a “National Disaster” in India, even as extreme heat now affects a majority of districts and threatens the livelihoods of over 400 million informal workers?

Did you know India’s official heat alert framework still relies primarily on “dry bulb” temperature- without adequately accounting for humidity, despite global scientific consensus that the Heat Index (temperature + humidity) better reflects human survivability?

Can the Right to Life under Article 21 remain meaningful if workers are compelled to work in temperatures that threaten human survivability?

Following a Jan Sunwai recently organised by Rachnatmak Congress at Constitution Club, a Charter of Demands has been submitted to the Ministries of Labour, Home Affairs (Disaster Management), Health & Urban Affairs and Social Justice demanding urgent national action on heat stress and its impact on workers.

Key recommendations include:

• Notification of heatwaves as a National Disaster to enable NDRF support
• Adoption of Heat Index as the primary legal trigger for heat alerts
• Binding heat safety standards under the OSHWC Code, including work-rest cycles
• Recognition of a Right to Cool via cooling shelters & public water access
• Protection for gig, sanitation, construction & agricultural workers
• Income compensation mechanisms for heat-related work loss

India recorded its warmest years in 2024 and 2025. Several studies estimate 57%+ districts are heat-prone, with urban heat islands intensifying risk for workers in construction, street vending, waste picking and delivery services.

The consultation process was convened through the efforts of @SandeepDikshit, Bhoomika Choudhary and myself, bringing together labour representatives, public health experts and climate researchers.

We urge @mansukhmandviya @AmitShah @JPNadda @mlkhattar @Drvirendrakum to consider these recommendations and initiate appropriate action within the coming weeks as peak summer approaches.

NDMA has issued Advisories including in 2025 but advisories are not enforceable rights.

Workers cannot rely on goodwill at 45°C.

Heat safety is emerging as a core question of labour rights, public health and economic productivity.

Workers should not have to choose between livelihood and survival every summer.

Letter attached.

#HeatStress #WorkersRights #ClimateJustice

[UNI Global Union @uniglobalunion]

‼️ Amazon claims it’s “Earth’s best employer.” Then spends $26M fighting workers who want a voice.

You can’t be “the best employer” and anti-worker at the same time.

#MakeAmazonPay

https://t.co/PV3RLUtBcl

[Rdx Rajesh sisodia @sisodia_rdx]

Amazon employees are facing a major problem amidst rising inflation @AiwuInd @dharmendraind @uniglobalunion @amazonIN

[Rdx Rajesh sisodia @sisodia_rdx]

We run Amazon warehouses yet we have no cooking gas Amazon increase our wages now @dharmendraind @AiwuInd @uniglobalunion @amazonIN #makeamazonpay @timesofindia @Make_Amazon_Pay

[सूरज सिंह/Suraj Singh 🇮🇳 @SurajSolanki]

क्या दिल्ली के बाजारों को बजट से किया दरकिनार?

@SandhyaTimes4u @NBTDilli

[सूरज सिंह/Suraj Singh 🇮🇳 @SurajSolanki]

दिल्ली के बजट से गिग वर्कर्स को बड़ी आस, CM @gupta_rekha के सामने रखी कई मांग.

@SandhyaTimes4u @NBTDilli

[Dharmendra Kumar @dharmendraind]

Joined a pre-budget consultation meeting with Delhi CM @gupta_rekha Gupta, labour minister @KapilMishra_IND, officials from the #Labourdept, representatives of @Olacabs @Uber @zomato @Swiggy @letsblinkit @urbancompany_UC @rapidobikeapp and #gigworkers

[Pavan Singh Sisodiya @pawansingh8445]

#Gasprices in the Baslambi, #Haryana area have increased from ₹90–100 to more than ₹350. Many workers of #Amazon DEL4 live here. While #GasPrices have risen sharply, the workers’#salaries have remained the same.
#makeamazonpay

[Dharmendra Kumar @dharmendraind]

https://t.co/aRkQR8JWIH

[Rdx Rajesh sisodia @sisodia_rdx]

We work for Amazon, yet struggle to afford basic needs.
Low wages, rising inflation, and even canteen food prices are increasing (samosa ₹10→₹15).
This is not just about pay — it’s about dignity.#makeamazonpay @dharmendraind @AiwuInd @uniapro @uniglobalunion

[UNI Global Union @uniglobalunion]

‘Warehouses are becoming heat chambers’: @AiwuInd flags OSH Code's silence on indoor heat hazards #MakeAmazonPay
https://t.co/sPiGIKtBhW

[Dharmendra Kumar @dharmendraind]

https://t.co/aFHlJ8q4L1

[Dharmendra Kumar @dharmendraind]

Releasing the report "working in the #heat: #streetvendors and #climatjustice in Delhi" collaboratively conducted by @WIEGOGLOBAL and @janpahal in a national consultation to Co-create #climateresilient vending zones @MoHUA_India @NIUA_India @ICLEISouthAsia @gupta_rekha

[Amazon India Workers Union @AiwuInd]

We stand in solidarity with striking workers of @amazon of #Delta #BritishColumbia to #MakeAmazonpay @UniforTheUnion @amazonteamsters

[Amazon India Workers Union @AiwuInd]

#MakeAmazonPay @UniforTheUnion of #Delta #BritishColumbia for fair labour practices and collective bargaining