Central Trade Unions decide for
Countrywide general strike on february
28
The Central
Trade Unions in a meeting congratulated the mass of the working people for
their massive response to the programme of
countrywide Jail Bharo/Satyagraha of 8th November 2011
jointly organized by Central and other Trade Unions of India.
The Central Trade Unions also convey their appreciation to the independent All
India Federations of the employees and workers for their active wholehearted
support to the call of countrywide Satyagraha/Jail Bharo.
The Central Trade Unions noted with serious concern that despite several rounds
of united protests by the entire trade union movement of the country, the Govt has remained totally unresponsive to major concerns of
the working people. Rather anti-worker moves are being taken to further
aggravate the rise in prices through frequent hike in power tariff, urea, etc
besides complete decontrol of petrol prices. Existing labour
rights including right to form union are sought to be curbed and social
security and pension are under attack through various legislative and
administrative moves. Mass scale contractorisation of
the regular work is continuing in all the workplaces including in PSUs and Govt. establishments. Contract workers are not
being paid in most of the places even the statutory minimum wages.
Disinvestment of shares of Public Sector Units is being actively pushed through
by the Govt to facilitate phased privatization of the
highly profit-making PSUs..
The Central Trade Unions also expressed serious concern over the flaring up of
the rampant corruption all around and huge black-money-generation in the
economy resulting in widespread popular
discontent and disgust over the issue of corruption. The CTUs
demand concrete legislative and administrative measures and change in the
economic policy regime to eradicate and prevent corruption and bring back the
black money stashed abroad.
The Central Trade Unions reiterate the most pressing demands of the
workers highlighted by the Jail Bharo/Stayagraha
agitation on 8th November 2011:
While reiterating the five point demands formulated jointly by the Central
Trade Unions and Federations for 1) concrete measures to contain price rise 2)
concrete measures for linkage of employment protection with the
concession/incentive package offered to the entrepreneurs, 3) Strict
enforcement of all basic labour laws without any
exception or exemption and stringent punitive measures for violation of labour laws, 4) universal social security cover for the
unorganized sector workers without any restriction and creation of a National
Social Security Fund with adequate resources in line with the recommendation of
NCEUS and Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour
and 5) Stoppage of disinvestment in central and state profit-making PSUs, the Central Trade Unions also demand immediate action
by the Govt of India to ensure:-
1) No Contractorisation of work of
permanent/perennial nature and payment of wages and benefits to the contract
workers at the same rate as available to the regular workers of the
industry/establishment
2) Amendment of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal
coverage irrespective of the schedules and fixation of statutory minimum
wage at not less than Rs 10,000/-.
3) Remove all ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus,
Provident Fund; Increase the quantum of gratuity.
4) Assured Pension for all
5) Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period
of 45 days and immediate ratification of the ILO Conventions nos 87 and 98
To press for above demands, the Central Trade Unions decided to observe
countrywide general strike on 28th February, 2012.
The Central Trade Unions also urge upon their state committees and all the
trade unions irrespective of affiliations to hold statewise
and industrywise conventions and launch immediately
other forms of joint campaign to make the countrywide general strike on 28th
February, 2012 a total success.
The Central Trade Unions call upon mass of toiling people and their
organizations irrespective of affiliations to join the call for general strike enmasse throughout the country.
Joint Statement signed by :
Ramdas Pande - BMS
G Sanjeeva Reddy - INTUC
Gurudas Dasgupta -
AITUC
R A Mittal - HMS
Tapan Sen - CITU