India : Trade unions seek political muscle to ramp up strike against Centre's policies
To intensify a day-long strike called by central trade unions against the “anti-people policies of the Centre” on September 2, Shyamal Chakraborty, state president of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), said on Monday that he would urge the Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress (INTTUC), the union backed by the ruling party, to lend its support to the strike.
He added that they would also organise joint campaigns in collaboration with the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), the Congress-supported union.
“It will be a nationwide strike against the anti-people policies of the central government. We will seek the support of INTTUC members as well. Whether we communicate verbally or write to them is yet to be decided,” Chakraborty said.
Asked about his plan if he fails to get the support of INTTUC and the Trinamool government — which has always opposed the concept of strikes — Chakraborty said: “Members of the central unions will observe the strike under any circumstances, with or without the state government’s support. There will be awareness programmes and a joint campaign with the INTUC.”
Other than the 12-point demand of the central trade unions for which the strike has been called, members of the Bengal Platform of Mass Organisation (BPMO) have added two more demands for Bengal — reviving the Haldia port and reopening shut industrial units. Their demands also include a minimum wage of Rs 18,000, end to privatisation of public sectors, guaranteed pension of 50 per cent of wages and end to the “victimisation of labourers in the name of amendments in labour laws”.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech criticising the recent attacks on Dalits, Chakraborty said, “The PM has suddenly become a well-wisher of Dalits. He has shown sympathy ahead of Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, where Dalit votes comprise a formidable percentage.”