Category Archives: TU News – India

TU News from India

8.5% interest for PF deposits in 2012 – 13

25 Monday Feb 2013

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The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has decided in its meeting today, 25th February 2013, to pay 8.5 per cent interest rate to its over 5 crore subscribers on their PF deposits for 2012-13, higher than 8.25 per cent provided in the last financial year 2011-12. But this is far below the demand placed by the Unions that it should be 9.5% interest.
The decision was taken at the meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), the highest decision making body of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

Left Parties Greet Indian Working Class for Historic Strike

24 Sunday Feb 2013

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The Left Parties – Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, All India Forward Bloc and Revolutionary Socialist Party – have issued the following statement:
“The Left parties warmly congratulate the working class, employees and other sections of the working people who have made the two-day general strike on February 20 and 21 a magnificent success. The workers struck work in all industries and commercial sectors. The strike was effective in petroleum sector, coal, mining, port & dock, plantation, manufacturing, banking and insurance. State government offices were also affected by the strike. The participation of workers in the unorganized sectors and scheme workers was also notable.

The Left parties condemned the instances of police repression against striking workers and the killing of a T.U leader in Ambala by crushing him under a state bus. In West Bengal, despite the state government machinery being used to foil the strike, there was a powerful strike in various sectors. Kerala observed a total bandh in solidarity with the striking workers.

This strike has been historic in that all the Central Trade Unions gave a joint call for the first time for a two-day general strike. This makes it the biggest working class action since independence. The Central government has to immediately address the demands raised by the general strike and take steps to fulfill them, otherwise bigger actions will follow. This is a wakeup call to stop the anti-people and anti-working class policies.”

(Prakash Karat)
General Secretary CPI(M)
(S. Sudhakar Reddy)
General Secretary, CPI
(Debabrata Biswas)
General Secretary AIFB
(T. J. Chandrachoodan)
General Secretary, RSP

WFTU Greets Working Class of India for Glorious Strike

24 Sunday Feb 2013

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The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) has congratulated and greet the Indian Working Class for the Historic Strike of 20-21 February 2021. The same is reproduced below:

WORLD FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS

Statement by the General Secretary of the WFTU, George Mavrikos on
the All-Indian General Strike on February 20-21st, 2013

“The Indian working class proved its determination in the struggle for the
labour and social rights with a massive general strike.

Dozens of millions of workers marched under the banners of the WFTU
affiliated class-oriented trade union organization. This is a loud message
to the Indian government and the capitalists and a great lesson for the
international working class.

We denounce with anger the state violence, the oppression of the employers
and the strike-breaking mechanisms that aimed to weaken the united class
response of the workers to the anti-labour policies causing acute problems to
the Indian workers. We honour the martyrs of the struggle who give their lives
for the betterment of the living and working conditions of the working class.

The WFTU once more expresses its support to the demands of the Indian
trade unions.”

The Unprecedented Historic Strike – Salient points

23 Saturday Feb 2013

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My Hearty Congratulations and Greetings to the BSNL workers, Casual and Contract Workers and DOT-BSNL Pensioners, who stood together in making the 48 hours strike in BSNL a complete success. The reports received from all over India indicate that vast majority of the BSNL workers have enthusiastically participated in the historic strike. All the non-executive unions in BSNL have given call for the strike called for by all the 11 Central trade Unions in the country. It would have been really a 100% strike if the executive associations had also given call for strike, instead of only extending solidarity and support. However it is also reported from some areas that many of the executives have also absented themselves on the day.
This strike was historic in many ways as can be seen below:
1. It was a strike for which call was given by all the 11 Central trade Unions in the country.
2. This strike was the biggest since Independence in 1947. More than 12 crore workers participated.
3. Factory workers, agricultural workers, central and state government employees, public sector workers, daily and contract workers – in short workers in all sectors participated in the strike. There was no section which was not a party to the strike.
4. In many states like Kerala, the strike became a virtual bandh. No shops or business concerns opened on these days. It was not by threat, but by their own, they have closed.
5. The demands were the pressing demands of the workers; more, they were directly connected with the issues of the common people like protest against price rise etc.
6. The Independent Federations and All India Unions, which are not affiliated to the 11 Central Trade Unions, also participated in the strike. The entire central and state government employees along with the PSU workers participated.
7. The preparations for the strike started early. After the New Delhi National Convention on 4th September 2012 declared the strike, state level conventions, union wise meetings etc. were held systematically and the demands propagated. Country saw during the last few months one of the biggest campaigns that the country has seen so far.
8. The Central trade Unions kept up its rock-like unity till the last. The compulsions from the government and pressure from the corporates and big business could not make any dent in the unity a of the CTUs. Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy, President, INTUC, despite much pressure from the top congress leaders stood his ground.
9. Even the media and newspapers controlled by the corporates which usually ignores the strikes by the workers could not do so this time. They were compelled to give the news.
10. The statement by the leaders of the central trade unions after the strike, that they will continue the struggle till the demands are met have inspired the workers for sustained struggles.
11. The 2 days strike was really the implementation of the slogan ‘Struggle for Unity, Unity for Struggle and Struggle and Unity for Progress’.
In short, the strike was unprecedented, historic and a mighty action of the workers against the anti-worker policies of the government; and for achieving their own demands.

MPs criticises Govt.for neglect of workers – Press Report

22 Friday Feb 2013

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New Delhi, Feb 22 : Against the backdrop of two-day nationwide strike, the Lok Sabha today saw members attacking the government for its “apathy” towards workers and warning that there could be another agitation if trade unions are not engaged in talks.
The issue was raised during Zero Hour by Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI), who is also leader of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).
He said 44 crore workers, who are the mainstay for production in the country, were not getting appropriate remunerations and the government was neglecting them.
Referring to the two-day strike which ended yesterday, Dasgupta said the trade unions did not want to resort to such actions but were forced by the government.
He attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying that after the trade unions announced the strike he had made an “innocent appeal through press” for talks.
“The Prime Minister offers talks to trade unions through the press,” the CPI leader said and questioned if he talks to corporates also through the press.
He said the Prime Minister has formed a committee of four ministers to talk to trade union leaders but in the meeting that took place, Finance Minister P Chidambaram was not present.
“Was it arrogance or apathy,” Dasgupta asked. He said Labour Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge also called trade union leaders for talks but he had “nothing to offer”.
Dasgupta warned that if the government does not engage with trade unions, there will be another nationwide strike.
CPI(M) leader Basudeb Acharia and JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav associated themselves with Dasgupta.

The Historic Strike – Congratulations by Central TUs

21 Thursday Feb 2013

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Following is the press release issued by the Central Trade Unions on the success of the 20-21 February Strike and congrtulating the workers. Issued by All Central Trade Unions on the First day of General Strike
Strike is total in all sectors by all workers
“All the Central Trade Unions (BMS, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, AICCTU, UTUC, TUCC, SEWA, LPF) hereby congratulate the working people of India for their overwhelming and magnificent response to the united call of two day countrywide general strike that commenced this morning.

Unprecedented response to the call of strike throughout the country much beyond our expectations reflects truly the anger of the people against the persistent increase in the prices of diesel, gas, coal, electricity and other essential goods for the bare need of the common people. It is also a protest against the total inaction of the Government to address the basic problems of the workers arising out of the inflation and slowdown of the economy. All the central trade unions supported by thousands of unaffiliated unions have given a two day strike call on the basis of 10 point demand of the workers as approved in the All India Convention held at Talkatora Stadium on 4th September, 2012. The strike has been totally peaceful. Even then there has been attack on the workers, lathi-charge and indiscriminate arrest. In Noida, there was brutal lathi-charge on a peaceful demonstration causing serious injuries to a number of workers and death to one worker. Even a leader of Haryana Roadways Corporation union affiliated to AITUC has been killed in Ambala Transport Depot by the miscreants to disrupt the strike.

The strike has been all out throughout the country affecting all vital sectors bringing the life to a standstill. Banking system has come to a collapse. Transport sector has responded magnificently except in two States, Delhi and Maharashtra. There has been massive strike in Petroleum sector, telecom, mining, coal, non-coal, defence, power including atomic power projects, port and dock, insurance, Plantation, State Government employees. Post offices have been closed, income tax offices have largely been hit by the strike. Industrial workers all over the country had shut down the production. Public and private industrial centres have been heavily affected.

Unorganised, agriculture, non-agriculture, rural and urban, anganwadi, ASHA workers have participated in lakhs. Contract workers have joined the strike in a magnificent way.

All the States from Arunachal to Gujarat from Kashmir to Kanyakumari everywhere the impact of the strike has been significant. Strike has been significant. Strike has been magnificent in Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Kerala, Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka. Despite vindictive and victimising threat and attack by the State Govt machinery, in West Bengal, response to strike has been magnificent. There has been strike even in Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. In Goa strike has been inspiring. Even in Meghalaya where election is to be held on 23rd February there has been strike in Shillong.

The central trade unions while congratulating the workers for the strike call upon them to continue the same till tomorrow and build up massive pressure on the Government for a change of policy and peaceful settlement of the 10 point demands.

Right to strike is a constitutional right. No State government has any authority to break the peaceful strike with indiscriminate use of the State machinery. We call upon the Government to realise the gravity of the situation and unparallel anger among the masses and take corrective steps having meaningful dialogue with the trade union.”

The report from all parts of the country on the strike on 21st also confirms the success of the strike. As demanded by the Central TradeUnions, the government should come down, discuss and concede the fully justified demands of the working class.

-:-

Strike – A Wake-up Call to the Government

20 Wednesday Feb 2013

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The two-days strike is a wake-up call to the government to seriously consider the demands raised by the workers, stated the Central Trade Unions, who gave call for the strike.The strike has been an unprecedented strike, stated the Central Trade Unions.
The strike has been full in Kerala, Tripura, Bihar, T.Nadu etc. It was successful in all the states in various manner. This was the biggest strike action of the workers since Independence.
In BSNL also, the strike was most successful. There was complete strike among the non-executives, while the executives gave solidarity and support. The pensioners under the leadership of the AIBDPA participated in the demonstrations in most of the places. The casual and contract workers under the leadership of the BSNLCCWF participated in the strike in all places, despite the threat from the management that they will be terminated.
In addition to the success of the strike, the unity among workers of various hues and ideologies have been cemented. The slogan of Unity for struggle, Struggle for unity and Unity and Struggle for Progress has been implemented in practice through this historic strike. Red Salute to the Workers who made the strike completely success!

Central Trade Unions keep its rock-like solidarity

20 Wednesday Feb 2013

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The government’s effort to break the solidarity of the Central Trade Unions has utterly failed. The government wanted the INTUC to go back from the strike decision and strongly persuaded its leaders through political pressure.
It is to the credit of the INTUC leadership with Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy at its head, that it utterly defeated the game plan of the government to break the strike.
The 20-21 February Strike has started with the rock-like unity of all the 11 Central Trade Unions.
Congratulations to the unity of the Central trade Unions!

First Martyr of the Strike – TU leader crushed by bus on strike day at Ambala

20 Wednesday Feb 2013

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A report from Hindu is reproduced below about a leader of the strike crushed by a bus at Ambala.
“A trade union leader, who was squatting along with a group of workers near the local bus depot as part of the two-day nationwide strike call on Wednesday, died when he was hit by a bus in his bid to stop it from plying, a senior Roadways official said here.

“The incident took place around 4 am this morning when Narender Singh, a bus driver by profession, tried to stop the vehicle which was being taken out from the Ambala Depot despite the strike,” district president, Haryana Roadways Workers Union’s, Inder Singh Bhadana told reporters here.

Mr. Bhadana alleged that the district administration tried to forcibly ply the bus, which hit Mr. Singh, who was also the treasurer of a AITUC union, killing him on the spot.

After the incident, the other workers resorted to violence damaging vehicles belonging to the Ambala’s Deputy Commissioner of Police and SHO of the Baldev police station area, police said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bhadana demanded a case to be lodged against the General Manager of the Roadways, failing which they will not allow the body to be cremated.” ( Courtsey: Hindu )

Central Government snubbed by the workers – Strike a big success.

20 Wednesday Feb 2013

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My congratulations to the leaders of the 11 Central trade Unions who have squarely snubbed the offer of the Central Ministers that they will look in to the demands of the workers raised with the request that the 48 hours strike be withdrawn.

The government very well knows that the demands are fully justified, they are based on the universally accepted principle of trade union rights, based on the statutes of the country and the pressing issues of the people and toiling masses. Each and every demand has been fully explained through resolutions, statements, representations and have been furnished to the government before months back after the Strike resolution was adopted by the National Convention of the Workers held in New Delhi in September 2012. Most of the demands are the same as raised in the One Day Strike called by the Central trade Unions on 28th February 2012.

The government and its Ministers, including the Prime Minister, who find sufficient time to meet the Corporates, MNCs and big business almost every day, concede their unjustified demands for concessions after concessions, did not have time to meet the leaders of the Unions representing more than 12 crore workers for the last 5 months after the Memorandum was given as per the decision of the National Convention. Although Cabinet Ministers A.K.Antony, Sharad Pawar, Mallikarjun Kharge and P.Chidmabaram were authorised to meet the CTU leaders, Chidambaram did not attend showing scant respect by the Finance Minister. And no assurance was given on the demands except that they can be discussed later. Requesting the unions to withdraw the strike without assuring / conceding even one demand, is nothing short of arrogance of power. It is to the credit of the union leaders that they have given a clear snubbing to the government by continuing with the decision for the strike.

The working class has to react with all its might to make the 48 hours Strike a magnificient and historical struggle in the forward march of the Indian Working Class! Let us march ahead with determination and dedication to the cause of the workers!