The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) Keralam State conference has called for a strong mass resistance against, what it described as, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government’s “anti-worker” policies, accusing it of deepening unemployment and undermining the very idea of secure, permanent employment.

The conference said the country was facing an acute unemployment crisis, with young people bearing the brunt as permanent recruitment shrinks and temporary, contractual and daily wage employment expands.

“Nearly 9.5 lakh posts remain vacant across Union government ministries and departments, public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies, and educational institutions. Keeping such a vast number of posts vacant is a grave injustice to the country’s youth,” the conference said.

It pointed out that the vacancies in Railways, defence sector, public sector banks, Union government institutions, and educational establishments were not being filled in time. Recruitment was being curtailed while contractualisation was expanding.

The conference said the younger generation was among the biggest victims of the employment crisis. The growing dependence on contract and temporary employment, it said, was eroding job security, social security, and the stability of young people’s future.

Job potential

Speakers also criticised the government for failing to recognise the employment-generating potential of economic growth. “There was a time when one percentage point of GDP growth created around two lakh jobs. Those in power appear to have forgotten this experience,” they said.

The conference linked the anger behind recent student and youth protests in New Delhi to unemployment, recruitment delays, examination irregularities, and the denial of employment opportunities.

A resolution adopted at the conference demanded that all vacant permanent posts in the Union government and its institutions be filled immediately.

“Vacancies in Railways, defence, banking, public sector undertakings, Union government institutions and the education sector should be filled within a stipulated time frame. Permanent recruitment should be increased and contractualisation and casualisation should end,” it said.

The DYFI also demanded a comprehensive national employment policy to ensure dignified, secure and permanent jobs for young people.

“The future of the country lies with its youth. A strong people’s movement should be built against policies that waste their talent, aspirations and productive potential,” the conference said.

Many left leaders, including Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] secretary M.V. Govindan, addressed the conference on Friday (August 21, 2026).

Published - August 21, 2026 08:36 pm IST