Strike had minimal impact on public life: Dattatreya

Impact of the trade unions' strike on general public life was "minimal", Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said today.
The 10 central trade unions today observed a one-day nationwide strike protesting against "anti-worker" changes in labour laws and the Centre's "indifference" to their demands for better wages.
Dattatreya said the impact of the strike was high in Kerala and Tripura, while it was partial in Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Jharkhand.
"After reviewing the strike situation, the overall impact of the strike on general public life is minimal. I opine that it reflects pro-labour and pro-Narendra Modi government (sentiment)," Dattatreya told PTI.

The minister said the people of the country have relied upon Modi government for its "continuous efforts" on employment generation and social security, especially for the unorganised sector which constitutes 93 per cent of workforce.
"The government is leaving no stone unturned to bring labour reforms," he added.

Due to the strike, the percentage of absent personnel in banking sector stood at 50 per cent, followed by 45 per cent in coal sector and 30 per cent in transport, telecom, oil and gas sectors, the minister said.
Earlier, the central trade unions claimed that the strike was successful as around 18 crore workers came on the streets to support the agitation, despite only partial impact in some states like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.

While the BJP has asserted that workers rejected the strike call, the Congress has accused the Modi government of bringing anti-labour policies like 'hire and fire' which prompted all major trade unions to call for a strike.