Despite a recent hike in wages of unskilled labourers and a slew of other labour reforms by the government, the trade unions have called for a nationwide strike on September 2.
The strike is likely to impact the banking and insurance sector more than others, Bandaru Dattatreya, Union Labour and Employment Minister said in a press conference.
While conceding that it’s the right of the unions to strike, the minister said that labourers and workers must put work and production before anything else.
We had a discussion with them, we want harmonious atmosphere in the country and we have taken more pro-worker initiatives. Then it is up to the trade unions to think about their proposed decision to continue or take back. This is up to their wisdom.Bandaru Dattatreya, Union Minister of Labour and Employment
While talking about long pending issues with several public sector undertakings regarding transport workers, coal-mine workers and workers loading and unloading materials, Dattatreya emphasised that a proper line of communication between workers and ministries is the need of the hour.
We want to sit with trade unions and the ministry officials and our labour ministry and concerned ministries and see that a dialogue can take place and pending issues can be resolved.Bandaru Dattatreya, Union Minister of Labour and Employment
Essential services like banking and public transport, as also work at public sector entities, may be hit on Friday with ten central trade unions calling a one-day nationwide strike to protest the government’s “indifference” to their demands for better wages and facilities and the “anti-worker” changes in labour laws.
All major unions, excluding the RSS-associated BMS (Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh), have joined the strike call, terming the government’s assurances to look into their demands and the recent announcements for a two-year bonus and hike in minimum wage as “completely inadequate”.
On its part, the government asked all ministries to ensure that public utilities and essential services are not affected. Secretaries of all departments have been asked to take effective measures for smooth running of various services coming under their respective ministries.
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