CHENNAI: The prominent trade unions in the country will stage a ‘jail-bharo’ protest on November 9, against the neo-liberal policies of the UPA-led government at the Centre. The protest would target the Centre’s ‘insensitive’ approach towards common man. The decision was taken at an All India National Trade Union meeting held in September this year. The BMS, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, LPF, AICCTU, AIUTUC, UTUC and TUCC are among the unions that have extended support to the protest.“In 1990, the Central government started economic liberalisation programme with the promise that it would deliver the desired results within 15 years of its implementation. But, two decades later, the sufferings of the common man have only increased and a select few have amassed wealth in the period,” said a statement from the organisations. According to AITUC general secretary SS Thyagarajan, “While most trade unions and organisations have always opposed and struggled against the economic reforms, the movement has gained momentum post 2009 with more and more organisations subscribing to it.”CITU general secretary A Soundara Rajan said, “Food price has skyrocketed over the last few years, making life difficult for common man. Meanwhile, the industrial output and agricultural output have plummeted.” According to the AICCTU’s A S Kumar, even UPA allies were not happy with some of its policies. “It is the Centre’s skewed economic policies that make India constitute one of the largest mass of poor people. The latest punch has been the further increase in petrol prices, which even the allies are not happy about,” he said.As a first step, the unions want the government to implement the Trade Union Act, 1926 and help recognise the trade unions, including those in private establishments. “A five-point demand charter was put across to the Prime Minister in 2009 when we negotiated with him after a protest. Though the PM agreed to our demands, they haven’t been fulfilled till date,” said KA Raja Shridhar, general secretary of HMS.
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