India : Trade unions strike hit Kerala, over 500 scientists stuck in Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 2: Trade unions across India have started protesting against ‘anti-labour policies’ of the government, bringing normal life to a standstill. Essential services like banking, public transport and telecom are being
The left-ruled Kerala has been the worst hit state due to ongoing trade unions strike. Over 500 members and scientists are stranded at four Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) centres’ convoys have been blocked in Thiruvananthapuram. Government offices, schools and colleges have been shut since transport services have been restricted.(ALSO READ: Bharat Bandh Today, LIVE: Trade Unions strike 2 Sept 2016 Live Updates, banks, factories, govt offices remain shut)
The trade unions have demanded a rise in their wages taking into consideration the price rice. They have opposed the government’s proposal to hike minimum wage for unskilled workers by up to 20 per cent to Rs 12,000 per month for Tier-I cities. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has supported the strike. The trade union workers led by former CPM legislator V. Sivankutty blocked the main central garage of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
No vehicle was operated to pick up the majority of the 6,000 work force attached to three unit, Manorama reported. Incidents of violence were reported in Kochi, where the protesters stopped vehicles at Ernakulum and police had to intervene in the matter.(ALSO READ: Bharat Bandh Today, 2 Sep 2016, Impact of trade unions strike: Normal life affected, transport services paralyzed, banks, factories stay shut)
On Tuesday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tried to convince the trade unions that the government increase minimum wages for unskilled labourers, but it failed to impress the trade unions. The unions are demanding social security for workers and a minimum wage of not less than 18,000 per month. They also want an assured enhanced pension of not less than 3,000 per month for all sectors, including unorganized workers. They also want FDI to be removed from railways, defence and other “strategic sectors”. (ALSO READ: Bharat Bandh, 2 Sep 2016: Trade unions strike fails to affect normal life in Tamil Nadu)
Delhi: Nurses protest at RML Hospital, demanding salary hike. #Tradeunionstrikepic.twitter.com/gFb1ODYNA6
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 2, 2016
Kolkata: CITU workers hold protest rally in support of their demands. #Tradeunionstrikepic.twitter.com/fpprC7tDw2
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 2, 2016
North 24 Parganas (WB): Visuals of clash between CPM and TMC workers during #TradeUnionStrike in Madhyamgram pic.twitter.com/eRLRerIYbL
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 2, 2016
Delhi Nurses Union protest outside Safdarjung Hospital against Govt, demanding salary hike pic.twitter.com/XvBO6U0U8u
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 2, 2016
Siliguri(WB) Municipal Corporation Mayor Ashok Bhattacharya arrested alongwith 15 other protesters #Tradeunionstrikepic.twitter.com/TREDUk4H8y
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 2, 2016
Varanasi: UP roadways employees’ strike disrupts normal life; visuals from bus stand. #tradeunionstrikepic.twitter.com/M7PADBtIYU
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 2, 2016
#Tradeunionstrike : Schools and colleges in Bengaluru urban district are closed today as a precautionary measure pic.twitter.com/necjlxCgpu
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 2, 2016
The strike will also be joined by the employees of banks, public sector, telecom and factories seeking higher wages. It was reported that this strike will be bigger in terms of the strike that took place last year. Also, workers in central public sector undertakings like Coal India, GAIL, ONGC, NTPC, OIL, HAL and BHEL will participate in the strike, according to Indian Express. (ALSO READ: Bharat Bandh: Effect of strike in various states)
Also, Municipal Corporation Mayor Ashok Bhattacharya, Siliguri in West Bengal has been arrested along with 15 other protesters. In Kolkata, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) workers held protest rally in support of their demands. Delhi Nurses Union protested outside Safdarjung Hospital against Government, demanding salary hike.(ALSO READ: Bharat Bandh Today: Protesters vandalise state bus in West Bengal; trade unions strike disrupts normal life in UP)
The central government, however, has asked all ministries to ensure that public utilities and essential services are not affected by the strike. Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya blamed the previous UPA rule for the issues faced by the workers and said the present government needs the labour unions support and doesn’t want a confrontation with them.