Trade unions to intensify protest against closing of PSUs

Protesting against centre's attempts to close down and privatise a number of central public sector organisations in the country, the central trade unions in West Bengal organised a joint convention here on Monday to charter a four point demand.

The joint forum comprising of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC) also unanimously criticised the state government's role in protecting the future of the public sector organisations in West Bengal.

"There is a constant attempt to close down or sell he central public sectors in the country.The protest and movement at the industrial level is on. The labours, workers and members of the various trade unions are fighting in their respective fields to save the industries. But limiting the movement only at the industrial level would not be enough. We have to engage the people of the entire state in this movement," CITU leader Anadi Shau said.

"This movement isn't just to save the livelihood of a section of workers andA labours. The economy and future of the entire state and the nation depends on it," he said.

Accusing the present central government of introducing trade and labour laws to suit the capitalists and trying to break down the trade unions, the forum announced that they would submit joint deputation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and request all the political parties to raise the issue in the parliament.

It also said that the trade unions would organise demonstrations in all the major industrial belts in West Bengal and give deputation to chief minister Mamata Banerjee to look into the matter.

The forum also demanded the central and the state government to take immediate steps to build new industries in place of closed factory units, modernise and revive the central public sector organisations, start the work for national Gas Grid and enable ONGC to take initiatives for the exploration of oil and gas in West Bengal.

"24 central public sector organisations have closed down so far in West Bengal while six more organisations are about to get closed. The centre has so far privatised Modern Food Industries and Jessop and Company and are planning to sell the stake of three more public sector organisations. We strongly oppose to this," The forum added.

--IANS

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