Strike: Services of banks, post offices partially hit in Guj

Services of PSU banks and post offices were partially affected Tuesday on the first day of the two-day strike called by Central trade unions against the alleged anti-worker policies of the Central government.

A trade union leader said more than ten lakh workers joined the strike in Gujarat, which he claimed was unprecedented.

The first day of the stir was marked by protest marches being taken out in major cities across the state.

Trade union leaders said the services at banks, post offices and LIC (Life Insurance Corporation) offices got affected partially.

"In some cities, a large number of industrial workers, including those working with anganwadis and for community health (Asha), also joined employees of nationalised banks, insurance companies and post offices in the strike," said Arun Mehta, general secretary, Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU).

Mid-day meal workers also took part in protests, he said, adding that they all are demanding permanent jobs.

Mehta said this is probably the first time in the history of Gujarat that more than 10 lakh workers joined hands and participated in the two-day protests against the Central government's policies and labour reforms.

In Ahmedabad, around 3,000 protesters walked in a march from Victoria Garden to the office of the Labour Commissioner, where they submitted a memorandum of demands.

"Services of PSU banks were paralysed as around 40,000 clerical-level employees joined the strike in the state," said Janak Raval, general secretary of Mahagujarat Bank Employees Association.

The protesters are demanding minimum wages of Rs 18,000 and a monthly pension of Rs 6,000, besides suspension of unilateral labour reforms being carried out by the Centre.

They are also opposing privatisation and merger of financial institutions.

The national shutdown was called by Central Trade Unions. CITU had said that this is the 18th nationwide general strike.

It said the main aim of their 12-point charter of demands is to revive the country's economy and save the rights of working class.