CPI(M) lauds trade unions for "landmark" general strike

CPI(M) today lauded central trade unions for staging "landmark" general strike saying "tremendous" response the day-long protest received sends warning to Narendra Modi Government that working class movement will not countenance any restriction to their rights.
In the editorial of forthcoming issue of party mouthpiece 'People's Democracy', former general secretary Prakash Karat has said yesterday's strike assumes "special" significance as it took place to counter a "serious" offensive against rights of workers and trade unions.
"The tremendous response to the strike call is a warning to Modi government that the working class movement will not countenance any restriction on workers and trade union rights," Karat said in the editorial.

Noting "flexibility of labour" requires deregulation of labour market, Karat said the government has targeted laws which provide protection to workers from "arbitrary" dismissals, retrenchment and closures.
By these amendments, Karat claimed, more than two-third of workers in factories and enterprises have been taken out of purview of protection afforded by these laws.
"Other purpose of changing labour laws is to weaken formation of trade union and registration of unions is made difficult. This will result in employers victimising workers.

"Severe punishment will be prescribed for illegal strikes and strikes will be easily illegalised. This is the way the Modi government wants to ensure 'Ease of doing business' by attacking workers' rights," he quipped.

Karat expressed concerns over allowing FDI in insurance, defence and railway sectors. He said Government's moves like opening mining sector to private commercial mining and its alleged plans to bring down stake of some of public sector banks to less than 51 per cent were neo-liberal orders aimed at dismantling public sector altogether.
"The general strike has signalled stiff resistance of the working class for the privatisation drive. It has highlighted importance of unity of all sections including working class, farmers and students to fight back destructive policies. Hence, will go down as a landmark protest in the history of united mass struggles in the country," he said.