Bms Warns Govt Against Fdi, Privatisation

The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has warned of a confrontation with the government if it persisted with its policies on privatisation and seeking foreign direct investment (FDI).

The BMS also says it is totally opposed to BJP vice-president Jana Krishnamurty's suggestion that the government cut back on subsidies. "These people have no idea what is happening in rural India. We will oppose any such move vehemently," general secretary of the BMS, Laxman Reddy said.

"The government says we have to withdraw subsidies if we want to continue being in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Why? Can't we survive without being in the WTO? China is not in the WTO. How is it managing? " questioned Reddy. He said that though the organisation was opposed to the Chinese political system, the patriotism of the Chinese had to be acknowledged.

 

He admitted that the BMS was under pressure from its cadres to oppose the BJP on privatisation. "We believe PSUs should be run profitably. If there are losses, the management bosses should be punished. Here, there is no accountability. We thought things would be different when our government came to power. We are disappointed that they are operating in the same way as the Congress governments before them," he said.

He said there was no unanimity among the trade unions affiliated to the political parties that form the coalition government at the Centre. "For instance, the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), which is affiliated to the Samata Party supports the ICFTU position that labour standards must be within the purview of trade and the WTO. The BMS is strongly opposed to it," Reddy said.

Meanwhile, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (Citu) has also called for a countrywide protest against the sell-out of SAIL units. In a statement, the Citu said that the move of the government was a blueprint for the demolition of the entire public sector steel industry.