INTUC chief threatens stronger agitation

The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) president G Sanjeeva Reddy today said that the country might see a stronger agitation than what itwitnessed on February 28 this year, if steps are not taken to stop rising prices, disinvestment of profit-making PSUs and violation of labour laws.Talking to mediapersons, Reddy who was in the city today, said that the Union government has assured the agitating trade unions that it would sit for a talk after the Budget session of the Parliament is over.

 
The strike of February 28 was backed by most of the country’s Central trade unions and joined by thousands of regional trade unions throughout the country, including the local trade unions and employees’ associations of Assam.

 
“During the last month’s strike, the railway workers were kept out of its ambit, considering the problem of the common people. But, if the government does not take strong steps to check price rise, implement labour laws and consider our other reasonable demands, the employees of railways, civil aviation and all the industrial sectors along with others would go on agitation,” he said.

 
The group of trade unions had submitted a charter of demands to the Union government demanding tighter labour laws and measures to control price rise. “Due to the increasingprices, the workers are losing their standard of living. As the private companies are paying more thrust on the creating temporary jobs rather than the permanent ones, there is no economic security for the working class,” Reddy said.

The trade unions have also asked the government to supply essential goods at a controlled price through the fair price shops and stop disinvestment in profit making PSUs. It also said that the contractual system of appointment should be abolished in the regular jobs. The charter of demands also said that government should make itmandatory for the MNCs to implement the labour laws of the country for their employees also.

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