The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has extended its full solidarity and support to the all-India strike of MGNREGA workers on May 15, 2026, jointly called by the Platform of Agricultural and Rural Workers’ Unions and the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha.

MGNREGA remains the only legal guarantee of employment for rural workers in India and has been a crucial lifeline for millions of poor peasants, agricultural labourers, women, and rural youth. The ongoing attacks on the scheme through budget cuts, exclusionary technological barriers, delayed wage payments, and the anti-worker VB-GRAM G Act are aimed at dismantling the rights-based character of MGNREGA and weakening rural livelihoods.

The AIKS has reiterated the demands for the rollback of the VB-GRAM G Act, expansion of MGNREGA to at least 200 days of guaranteed work, a minimum wage of Rs 700 linked to inflation, withdrawal of exclusionary attendance and payment systems including facial recognition, and greater powers to Gram Sabhas in planning and implementation of works.

At a time of deep agrarian distress, unemployment, and rising prices (especially in the context of the war in West Asia), strengthening MGNREGA is essential for protecting rural livelihoods and increasing purchasing power in the countryside. The AIKS has called upon its units across the country to extend active support to the strike actions and protests on 15 May and stand united with agricultural and rural workers in defence of the right to work and livelihood.