Dattatreya asks unions to call off proposed strike

Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya today asked trade unions not to go ahead with their proposed nationwide strike tomorrow as the government has agreed to most of their demands.
"Trade unions must think in a positive manner. They are getting major things... Out of their 12 demands, my ministry has agreed on nine demands," Dattatreya said at a press conference here.
"When UPA government was there, they were not agreeable to even two demands. This (NDA) government is agreeing to nine demands. They should rethink about this (protest tomorrow). Unnecessary they should not (do this) in the interest of workers. They should think twice," he said.

He assured the unions that workers' interests will not be harmed.
"Maximum tripartite meetings have been held in our regime. We are trying to satisfy trade unions. I am assuring that no where in these reforms, we will take away the rights of the workers. Our paramount interest is to safeguard the interest of workers," he said.
Central trade unions have called for a day-long stir tomorrow to protest against "anti-workers policies of the government and unilateral labour reforms".

The unions had gone on strike on September 2 last year. At that time, the government had indicated that it was agreeable to nine out of their 12 demands.

"All the misconception of the workers were cleared. We are proceeding further from minimum wage to universal wage. We are simplifying labour laws. We are also rationalising cumbersome processes.
"On code of wages, tripartite meeting is over. Three-four meetings were held. We listened to the concern of trade unions.
"Even in industrial relation code the tripartite meeting was conducted. A sub-committee was formed. Taking the consensus of the sub-committee, we proceeded further," he said.