Trade unions call for countrywide shutdown

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Silchar, July 26: The joint convention of various trade union bodies has given a call for tionwide strike on September 2 against the anti-people and anti-workers policy of the BJP led Union Government. The Centre has turned a blind eye to the fundamental demands of the masses and working class people. The democratically elected government bypassing the Parliament has adopted undemocratic method to pass ordinces for its political gains. Not only that the unimous suggestions of the tiol labour convention for according due recognition of the employees on the basis of the schemes and projects, equal opportunities and facilities to the contractual workers at par with permanent employees have been totally ignored by the NDA Government.

 It was against such attitude and approach of the Centre, as pointed out by Rafique Ahmed, AITUC leader, which the trade union bodies observed all India shut down on September 2, 2015. Even after that, the Union Government not only continues to ignore the mass demand but has gone to the extent of 100% FDI in defence and telecom sectors. This has put the sovereignty and security of the country at stake. Trade union bodies have also been critical of the decision of the Central Government to auction 12 oilfields of Assam and in all 67 oil fields of the country.

 The trade union leaders have described the nod of BJP led government in Assam to the Centre’s unjustified decision. Moreover, it has also been a most unwise step of the Assam Government to enhance VAT on all the daily needs of people. The condition of tea tribe people is also deplorable. In the me of modification of the labour law, the government is trying to make 12 hour work compulsory. If the labour law is amended, more than 50% trade union bodies will lose their rights.

 Apart from that, the local issues which include pitiable condition of tiol highways, uncertainty over mahasadak, indifferent attitude towards altertive road construction, irregular train services and the deplorable condition of inter-valley roads will also be the driving factor behind the shut down. According to Supriyo Bhattacharjee, CITU leader, there is a conspiracy for disinvestment of Cachar Paper Mill. In addition to the all India strike, the trade union bodies have also decided to observe countrywide noncooperation movement on August 9, 2016.

 All preparations are now on to make the strike across Barak Valley successful by calling upon all sections of people, workers, employees, teachers, farmers, students and youths as well as women to join it. All this information about the all India strike was shared by the trade union leaders at a press-meet held here today in their office premises. Those who addressed the media persons included Kishore Kumar Bhattacharjee, INTUC, Subrata th, AIUTUC, Ashim th, AICCTU, Tarun ndi, TUCC, Bidyut Deb, EWTCC, and Biswajit Paul Choudhury, ASGEF.