INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
that around 20 crore workers will go on a two-day nationwide strike from Tuesday to protest against government's alleged anti-worker
policies and unilateral labour reforms
"As many as 10 central trade unions (CTUs) have joined hands to go on a two-day nationwide strike from tomorrow
We expect 20 crore workers to join strike This is largest number of workers from formal and informal sectors joining strike against
(AITUC), told reporters here in a joint press conference of 10 CTUs.She said sectors like telecom, health, education, coal, steel,
electricity, banking, insurance and transport, among others, are likely to support strike."We will go on protest march from Mandi House to
Parliament in New Delhi on Wednesday
Similar protests would be done across country," she said.Ms Kaur said CTUs are also opposed to unilateral labour reforms."We have given
suggestions on labour codes
But during discussiontrade unions' demands were rejected
We went on strike on September 2, 2016
We also did 3-day 'mahapadav' (agitation) from November 9-11 in 2017
But government did not come for dialogue rather went ahead with unilateral labour reforms," she said.The 10 CTUs going on strike include
INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC
RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) will not participate
"The government has failed to create jobs and grossly ignored unions' 12-point charter of demands
The Group of Ministers headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on labour issues has not called unions for any discussion since September 2,
This has left us with no other option but to go on strike," Ms Kaur said.In a joint statement, CTUs also alleged that government undermined
tripartism and continued its "aggressive attack with arrogance on lives and livelihood of working people".They are also opposed to proposed
amendments in Trade Union Act, 1926 saying those are irrational and extremely damaging to independent functioning of unions
The unions claim that farming communities through their associations have also extended support to strike
Student and teacher organisations of various universities have also declared support, statement said.
