Normal life hits; 15 cr workers in 10 unions on strike today, banking-transport affected

New Delhi: Normal life was affected in various parts of the country, including West Bengal and Kerala, as 10 central trade unions today went on a day-long nationwide strike to protest against changes in labour laws and privatisation of PSUs.

BJP-backed BMS and NFITU however stayed away from the strike.

Trade union leaders claimed that around 15 crore formal sector workers are on strike in support of their 12-point charter of demands.

The day long strike was seen affecting transport and banking operations among other services.

In Kolkata, partial impact was seen on suburban trains while shops, markets and business establishments in most areas remained closed.

State administration was plying a large fleet of public buses while partial impact was seen on operations of private buses and taxis.

In the National Capital, commuters faced problems as a large number of autos and taxis remained off the roads.

In Kerala, public and private bus services, taxis and autorickshaws were off the roads. Only few private cars and two wheelers were seen on the roads.

Shops, hotels and even small tea stalls were closed in the state.

The government had yesterday appealed trade unions call off the agitation in the interest of workers and nation.

The unions however decided to go ahead with strike as their talks with a ministerial panel headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley last month did not make any headway on their 12-point charter of demands.

Trade unions’ 12-point charter of demands includes urgent measures to contain price rise, contain unemployment, strict enforcement of basic labour laws, and universal social security cover for all workers and minimum wage of Rs. 15,000 per month.

They are also demanding enhanced pension for workers, stoppage of disinvestment in PSUs, stoppage of contractorisation, removal of ceiling on bonus and provident fund, compulsory registration of trade unions within 45 days, no amendment to labour laws unilaterally, stopping of FDI in Railways, Defence etc.

Normal life partially hit in West Bengal

Train services of South Eastern railway were normal although Eastern railway officials said suburban services in the Sealdah south section were hit for sometime in the morning due to blockade at some places.

Metro Rail services were operating normally, officials said.

Shops, markets and business establishments in most areas remained closed.

State administration was plying a large fleet of public buses while private buses and taxis were also seen on the streets though their number was less compared to other week days.

A senior Kolkata Police official said, “Although buses are plying, the number of passengers is less.”

West Bengal government and opposition Left Front locked horns over the strike call, with the former issuing circulars to employees and making all out efforts to keep life normal and the latter asking people to “tear away circulars”.

Airport officials here said that flights of Air India and other airlines operated normally at N S C Bose International Airport.

They, however, said passengers faced inconvenience due to inadequate number of taxis at the airport.

As many as 12 central trade unions had given the strike call over a 12-point charter of demands, including withdrawal of the proposed “anti-worker” amendments in labour laws and stopping the disinvestment and privatisation of PSUs.

BMS later pulled out saying the government needed to be given time to fulfil its promises on the basic demands. The National Front of Indian Trade Unions will also stay out.

Strike affects normal life in Kerala

The one-day affected normal life across Kerala as shops downed shutters and vehicles remained off the roads.

Public transports, including buses run by state owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation and private operators, taxis and autorickshaws were off the roads. Only few private cars and two wheelers were seen on the roads, police said.

Shops, hotels and small tea stalls did not open in view of the strike call.

People who came from other parts of the state in trains and buses had a difficult time to proceed on their onward journey from railway stations and bus depots.

Police had made arrangements for ferrying people to hospitals and some other important destinations.

No untoward incident was reported from any part of the state so far after the strike, called by various central trade unions, commenced at midnight, police said.

To face the strike, the government had announced ‘dies non’ (no work, no pay) to its employees who participated in the strike. Security across the state was also tightened in view of the strike call.