11 central trade unions to observe strike on March 10

The unions will protest against government indifference to the 12-point charter of demands

Central trade unions, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-backed Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), have decided to go on a strike on March 10, to protest against central as well as some state government's "anti-worker" policies and changes in laws through labour reforms.

"All the central trade unions met on January 27, 2016, and resolved to continue their protest action against the anti-labour policies of the central and some state governments," a joint statement of eleven trade unions said.

According to the statement, the unions decided to observe March 10, 2016, as all India protest day against government indifference to the 12-point charter of demands and its unwillingness to restart discussions for working out concrete steps for resolution of the issues.

The unions also decided to organise massive national convention of workers in Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi in the last week of March 2016 to decide about the next course of united action programme.

The trade unions reviewed the drastically deteriorating conditions of work and life of the working people and government going ahead with labour law amendments, disinvestment of public sector undertakings (PSUs) and allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in strategic sectors.

"The government, it appears, does not want to wait for legislating these anti-worker labour law amendments, it is taking away rights of workers by way of executive orders and directing state governments to carry out such pro-management amendments," it said.

The unions condemned one such directive issued by the Union labour secretary on January 12, 2016, granting exemption to start-up enterprises from inspection and application of nine major labour law legislations, thereby legitimising the violations.

The trade unions took note of and extend solidarity to the sectoral struggles of workers/employees in banks, defence, coal, port and docks and telecommunications sectors, the anganwadi workers on their respective demands and also the central government employees including Railways' resolve to launch action against retrograde recommendations of Seventh Central Pay Commission, the statement said.

They also expressed serious concern over extremely harsh punishment of "double life imprisonment" given to eight workers of Pricol Ltd, Coimbatore and appealed to all workers to extend help and solidarity.

"Fight against anti-labour policies will continue. The central trade unions directed its constituents to prepare jointly for protest action on March 10, 2016," it said.

They also appealed to independent employees/workers/unions and federations to participate in the protest action against the offensive of the government against workers and common people.