BPCL-Kochi Refinery workers restrained from joining strike

Kerala High Court today restrained employees of BPCL-Kochi refinery from participating in the two-day nationwide strike called by various trade unions from midnight tonight. Admitting the petition filed by BPCL-Kochi refinery, Justice P Chidambaresh stayed further proceedings on the strike notice given by the employees' unions. Four unions of the BPCL-Kochi refinery had given notice to the management for participating in the strike. According to the management, the strike notice was in violation of the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act. The union's demands for long-term settlement were pending consideration. While this was so, unions cannot go on strike, it said. The strike has been called by Bhartiya Mazdoor Sabha, INTUC, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), HMS, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC) among others. The 10 demands mainly relate to checking of price rise, generation of employment, halting of disinvestment in public sector enterprises and implementation of labour laws.