CITU-led union threatens strike as govt likely to introduce coal bill tomorrow

The ordinance allows private players to mine coal and sell it in the open market, which the union opposes

Even as Coal India (CIL) is under immense pressure to meet demand, it is likely to witness disruption of mining operations in the coming days. The All-India Coal Workers Federation, affiliated to Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), said on Tuesday that it would call for a strike as soon as the Bill seeking to replace coal blocks allocation ordinance is passed.

According to coal ministry officials, the Bill is likely to be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Ordinance, 2014 was brought in October this year in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision cancelling 214 coal blocks. Apart from facilitating auctioning of the cancelled coal blocks, the ordinance allows private players to mine coal and sell it in the open market, which has been particularly opposed by the unions. So far, the right to commercial mining was reserved for Coal India.

"The working committee has already decided on a strike if the Bill is passed. The moment it happens, we will call for the strike," said Jibon Roy, general secretary, All India Coal Workers Federation.

"We were told there would be a meeting with the coal ministry today (Tuesday), which got cancelled at the last moment because the government has already made its mind to go ahead with the Bill. We have also decided to issue a strike notice and a launch protest, irrespective of what other unions do," he added.

Another Left-leaning union, Indian Mine Workers' Federation (affiliated to All India Trade Union Congress), said it was mulling joining the strike. "We are discussing internally. But in no way are we going to accept the passage the Bill," said Ramendra Kumar, secretary, Indian Mine Workers' Federation.

Three other unions - Congress-backed Indian National Mineworkers Federation (INMFW), Hind Khadan Mazdoor Federation and coal workers' union of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh - are yet to make their stand clear.

While all the unions claim to have more than 100,000 workers' strength, sources say INMFW is the leading union in terms of support base, representing about 30 per cent of the total 350,000 workforce of CIL. The other four unions' support base is between 15 per cent and 25 per cent.