Members of eight major central trade unions and independent workers'/employees' federations will march to Parliament on February 23 to protest against what they call the “indifferent and don't care attitude” of the Manmohan Singh government to the “steep rise in the prices of essential commodities, rampant violation in implementation of labour laws, plight of unorganized workers, and reckless contractorisation of employees.”
The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), trade union wing of the ruling Congress, will be a part of the group. Its president G. Sanjeeva Reddy, who briefed journalists on the stir, said his organization was “independent and separate [from the Congress]” and was fighting for respecting labour laws and their implementation.
“I am right in participating in the protest,” Mr. Reddy said, adding that there was no pressure on him from the Congress high command to withdraw.
He said liberalization and the government's open market economy had only benefited corporates to become richer at the cost of the labour force. “We are fighting for our rights,” Mr. Reddy added.
All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) general secretary Gurudas Dasgupta said the fight would continue till the government relented. He said he wanted the Centre to call a meeting of trade union representatives to discuss various issues concerning the workers.
Deep crisis
Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) president A.K. Padmanabhan said the country was in a deep crisis and the economic situation had turned from bad to worse with the unemployment rate reaching its peak.
Among others, the All-India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), the All-India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), the Trade Union Coordination Committee (TUCC), and the United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) will join the protest rally, which may witness a turnout of 12-15 lakh workers.
Source:The Hindu, February 16, 2011
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