New Delhi: The Central Trade Unions are on an indefinite strike from Friday to protest against the government's "indifference" to their demands for better wages and facilities and the "anti-worker" changes in labour laws.
All major unions, excluding RSS-associated BMS (Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh), have joined the strike call, terming the government's assurances to look into their demands and the recent announcements for two-year bonus and hike in minimum wage as "completely inadequate".
On its part, the government has asked all ministries to ensure that public utilities and essential services are not affected. Secretaries of all departments have been asked to take effective measures for smooth running of various services coming under their respective ministries.
Trade union leaders, however, claimed that the strike would be even bigger than the one last year on September 2 and expected the number of striking workers to swell to as much as 18 crore. In 2015, the unions had said that around 14 crore workers participated in the nationwide strike at that time.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has warned all the government employees against joining the strike. Banerjee said her government is also planning to introduce a new law under which those who ransack and damage property during bandhs will be made to pay compensation.
"There is no bandh in Bengal tomorrow. I appeal to the common people that Durga Puja is coming and on September 5 we have Teachers Day. So let's keep things moving. Let's take Bengal forward. A lot of damage has already been done," she
said.
The CTUs are protesting against what they call the government's apathy towards their 12-point charter of demands including a monthly minimum wage of Rs 18,000, controlling price rise and assured minimum monthly pension of Rs 3,000.
(With inputs from PTI)
Comments
0 comment