Trade Unions rejected Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Appeal to call off All-India Strike

Trade unions rejected Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's appeal to call off the all-India strike called on 28 February 2012. It is the first time since independence that trade unions of all hues got together to register their protest on a wide range of issues stemming out of the liberalisation policy.

Workers of all 11 recognised unions (to be recognised, a union has to have 4 lakh members on its rolls) and 5000 un-affiliated unions decided to strike work on 28 February 2012. The strike will impact the banking, postal, ports and government sectors.

Demands of the Trade Unions

The demands of the unions were announced during the annual Indian Labour Conference on 14 and 15 February 2012 in the presence of Dr. Singh. The reason why the workers were compelled to take recourse to strike were also stated.

The demands of the unions include strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption, stringent punitive measures for violation of labour laws, universal social security cover for the unorganised sector workers without any restriction, and the creation of a National Social Security Fund.

The charter also include stoppage of disinvestment in Central and State profit-making Public Sector Undertakings.

The trade unions cliamed that the government should step in against giving on contract work of permanent/perennial nature and to ensure payment of wages and benefits to contract workers on a par with those to regular workers of the industry/establishment.

Their other demands include amendment of the Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage irrespective of the schedules, fixation of statutory minimum wage at not less than Rs. 10000, removal of all ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus and Provident Fund as well as an increase in the quantum of gratuity and assured pension for all.