Millions strike in India over reforms

"This strike is against the central government, this strike is for the cause of the working people," 

Ramen Pandey of the Indian National Trade Union Congress told the AFP news agency.

Millions strike in India over reforms

BBC- 2 September 2016

A "strike" placard is fixed onto the padlocked gate of a public sector bank during a nationwide strike called by 10 major trade unions over wages and economic reforms, in Chennai on September 2, 2016.Image copyright AFP

Tens of millions of workers in India are on a day-long strike demanding higher wages and to protest against the government's economic reforms.

Banks, government offices and factories are shut, while public transport is also disrupted in parts of the country.

The government says the reforms are needed to bolster the economy.

But trade unions say the government has not addressed the demands of the workers in banking, telecommunication and manufacturing industries.

They also oppose a government directive to state-run pension funds to put more money into stock markets.

'Vile conspiracy'

Tapan Sen, general secretary of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, told the BBC that more than 150 million workers in different industries were on strike.

But there has been no independent corroboration of the numbers given by the unions.

Mr Sen's union has accused the government of a "vile conspiracy... to privatise the public sector and invite foreign capital in some parts of industry".

Indian government and bank employees shout slogans as they participates in a protest during a nationwide strike called by trade unions in Mumbai, India, Friday, Sept. 02, 2016.Image copyright AP

An Indian labourer rests on luggage push carts parked in a market street during a nationwide strike called by 10 major trade unions over wages and economic reforms, in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad on September 2, 2016.Image copyright AFP

Indian passengers wait for a bus on street during nationwide general strike called by Communist Party of India (Marxist) and all trade unions in Calcutta, eastern India, 02 September 2016.Image copyright EPA

A man walks past closed Reserve Bank of India during nationwide general strike called by Communist Party of India (Marxist) and all trade unions in Calcutta, eastern India, 02 September 2016.Image copyright EPA

Banks, shops and schools shut down in parts of the country, including in the southern Karnataka and Kerala states, where public transport was also disrupted, according to reports.

News channels showed flag-waving protesters squatting on railway tracks in the states of Orissa and West Bengal.

More than 20 protesters were arrested after they damaged two government buses in West Bengal, senior police official Anuj Sharma told AFP.

Ten major unions called the strike after talks with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley broke down, with leaders rejecting his offer to raise the minimum wage for unskilled workers, reports said.
"This strike is against the central government, this strike is for the cause of the working people," Ramen Pandey of the Indian National Trade Union Congress told the AFP news agency.

Stranded Indian passengers wait for transport at a railway station during the All India strike in Bangalore, India, 02 September 2016.Image copyright EPA

"Our strike will be 100% successful... we will prove that this strike is the world's largest ever."

Since taking charge in May 2014, PM Narendra Modi's BJP government has initiated economic reforms and is trying to ease labour laws to attract foreign investment and make it easier to do business in the country.

The government also plans to sell its stake in state-owned companies, which are incurring heavy loses.

Source: BBC
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சென்னையில் கழகத்தின் வேலை நிறுத்த ஆதரவு சுவரொட்டி முழக்கங்கள்