Limited impact of nationwide strike in Guwahati city

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The first day of the two-day nationwide strike called by the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions had a partial impact in the city on Monday.

Most of the business establishments remained open in the city. Privately-owned city buses were fewer than usual in the morning, but the number increased towards noon. The ASTC also pressed additional buses into service.

Meanwhile, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Guwahati unit, staged a protest at Guwahati Club to show solidarity with the central trade unions against government policies.

The protestors were detained by the police during the protest.

The protesters claimed that the BJP Government has intensified attacks on the working class, which include lowering the interest rate on EPF accumulations from 8.5 per cent to 8.1 per cent, a sharp rise in petrol, LPG, kerosene, CNG prices, and worsening inflation and crashing share markets.

The central trade unions that are members of the joint forum are Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC).

Power sector employees of the State also extended full support to the strike called by central trade unions and National Federations of Employees' Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees & Pensioners. They staged a protest demonstration and work boycott throughout the State. They staged protests in front of all offices, including the Bijulee Bhawan here.

The United Workmen Union of Guwahati Refinery, IOC Limited, along with State unit of the All India Confederation of Central Trade Unions (AICCTU) observed the strike in front of the main gate of the refinery.

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