New Delhi, March 27: To protest against a number of government policies affecting workers, farmers and the common man, a joint platform of central trade unions has given a call for a nationwide strike (Bharat bandh) on March 28 and 29 (Monday and Tuesday). The Platform of Central Trade Unions and Sectoral Federations and Associations had recently held a meeting in New Delhi to take stock of the preparations in various states and sectors for the proposed two-day all India strike against “the anti-worker, anti-farmer, anti-people and anti-national policies” of the central government, a statement said.
The statement said that roadways, transport workers and electricity workers have decided to join the strike in spite of the impending threat of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).
A PSU banking employees union official in J&K, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Ziraat Times that opinion among unions in J&K was divided about abserving the bandh in J&K, and that they were not sure if the strike would have any impact in J&K or not, considering the crucial financial year closure happening now.
Meanwhile, according to the joint forum, the BJP government at the Centre has intensified the attacks on the working people, reducing the interest rate on EPF accumulations to 8.1 per cent from 8.5 per cent, sudden hike in petrol, LPG, kerosene, CNG etc., taking steps to implement their programme of monetisation (PSU land bundles) but are held back only because of the worsening condition of inflation and crashing share markets.
Who will join the strike on March 28-29?
Financial sectors, including banking and insurance, are joining the strike. The strike notices have been given by unions in the sectors such as coal, steel, oil, telecom, postal, income tax, copper, banks, insurance among others, the statement said.
The central trade unions which are part of this joint forum are INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC.
The unions in railways and other sectors would be making mass mobilisation in support of the strike at several hundreds of spots, it stated.
The meeting appealed various unions at state levels to join the strike to oppose the anti-labour policies of the central government, the four labour codes being it’s a glaring example.
The forum called upon all sections of society to extend their support to the strike called under the slogan ‘Save People, Save Nation’, it stated.
