As workers unions of Coal India have threatened to go on strike, government has sought their cooperation in combating "difficult situation" the sector is passing through due to fall in global commodity prices.
"Coal Minister (Piyush Goyal) invited cooperation and support from 5 CTUs/coal workers to combat difficult situation the coal industry is passing through," Indian National Mineworkers' Federation (INTUC) said.
The coal industry is passing through difficult situation "due to deep recession globally and also internally in India there is loss of coal in power, steel, cement and other sectors. The stock of coal in power houses of states/NTPC and also in CIL/Subsidiaries is piling up," it added.
The five operating CTUs which held a meeting with Goyal today assured the government full cooperation in combating the adverse situation.
"However, in order to have positive result the representatives of five CTUs submitted few suggestions like increase the frequency of consultation with one of the most important stake holder i.E. Coal workers/CTUs particularly in matter of policy related issues including disinvestment, re-structuring, coal pricing mechanism...And welfare related issues," it said.
The minister assured to meet the representatives of CTUs again in March-April, 2016, it added.
As for now, the notices by four CTUs for agitation (Work to Rule) from March 7-10, and one-day strike on March 29, 2016, the union said.
