Tomorrow's strike won't impact power, oil & gas supply: BMS

BJP-backed Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) on Tuesday said services such as power, oil and gas supplies will not be affected by the general strike tomorrow as a large number of public sector workers have pulled out of the action against changes in labour laws.

"A large number of public sector undertakings who are members of central trade unions are not going on strike tomorrow. Thus, the services like power, oil and gas supply will not be affected," BMS General Secretary Virjesh Upadhyay told reporters here.

"Big PSUs like NTPC, NHPC and Power Grid will not observe strike tomorrow. Therefore, the power supply will not be affected," he said.

The other 10 central unions however had said on Monday that there will be minimal impact on strike due to BMS' pulling out at the eleventh hour.

While 11 central trade unions had given the strike call to protest against proposed changes in various labour laws, BMS on Saturday decided to pull out. It favoured giving more time to the government in the wake of assurances given during their meeting with a group of senior ministers.

Upadhyay said the National Front of Indian Trade Unions has also decided not to go on strike tomorrow and wants to give some time of government, at least till the Winter Session of the Parliament, for fulfilling its assurances like uniform minimum wages across the board and enhancing wage ceiling for bonus.

He clarified that BMS is not a political organisation and has been part of the joint movement of central trade unions to fight for the rights of the workers.

He said that the government's assurances require Parliament's nod and thus some time should be given to deliver their promises.