CPI(M) terms govt action against absent employees 'illegal'

The CPI(M) on Wednesday described as "illegal and undemocratic" the issuance of show-cause notices by the West Bengal government to state employees who remained absent from duty during the February 28 general strike, and demanded its immediate withdrawal.

"This circular is not only illegal, but undemocratic and unprecedented as it seeks to curb rights of employees. We will deal with it politically and organisationally to protect employees," Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) leader Suryakanta Mishra told reporters here.

Warning the state against trying to curtail strikes in the future, he said that to join a bandh was a recognised right.

"We condemn the government's gross interference to break a strike in its futile bid to improve work culture in the state. "No amount of threat or circular will help improve the work culture in our state and the government should maintain friendly relations with the employees as we did while in power," he said.