Transport workers to join Sep 2 strike to protest Motor Bill

Transport workers, including employees of state transport corporations, across the country would join nation-wide strike on September 2 to protest against the proposed Motor Bill, the National Federation of Indian Road Transport Workers said today.
Eleven central trade unions, including BJP-backed BMS, has called for a one-day nation-wide general strike on September 2 to protest against government's unilateral labour reforms and for giving no heed to their 12-point charter of demands.
"Workers from state transport corporations and private transport operators across the nation have unanimously decided to join the 24-hour strike in protest against the proposed Road Transport and Safety, Bill which is not only against the interest of workers and state transport bodies but also pro-corporate," National Federation of Indian Road Transport Workers General Secretary M L Yadav told PTI.

"Our demand is that the government should roll-back the Bill which is against the interest of the workers and bodies both," Yadav said.
The workers had gone on a nation-wide strike on April 30 against the Bill, which had impacted normal life in several parts of the country, including in the National Capital.
Commuters faced severe hardships in states like Kerala, Karnataka, Punjab, Guajart, Assam and Haryana with buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws going off the roads.

The employees of state transport services had proceeded on the strike on the call of trade unions against the Road Transport and Safety Bill, 2015, ignoring Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari's assurance that the Bill in no way would infringe upon the rights of state transport authorities and all their concerns will be addressed.

The workers are protesting against provisions in the Bill which include obtaining fitness certificates even for light motor vehicles regularly and stringent penalties for driving offences.
Gadkari had termed their concerns "premature" and said wide consultations would be held with all stakeholders on the bill before enacting it.
The 11 central trade unions, on July 19, had announced going ahead with September 2 strike after their meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi failed to make any head way.
After an hour-long meeting with the Prime Minister, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) general secretary Gurudas Dasgupta had said, "There is no assurance or anything from them. Therefore our stand for strike on September 2 stands. All trade unions are unanimous on this and will remain united."

The 12-point charter of demand includes measures to contain price-rise, ban on speculative trade in commodity market, reducing unemployment, strict enforcement of labour laws, universal social security cover, hiking minimum wages to Rs 15,000 per month and assured pension of Rs 3,000 per month.