Two-day nationwide strike to begin today

ACCORDING TO THE JOINT FORUM, GOVT AT THE CENTRE HAS INTENSIFIED THE ATTACKS ON THE WORKING PEOPLE

NEW DELHI: To protest against a number of government policies affecting workers, farmers and the common man, a joint platform of central trade unions has given a call for a nationwide strike (Bharat bandh) on March 28 and 29.

The Platform of Central Trade Unions and Sectoral Federations and Associations had recently held a meeting in New Delhi to take stock of the preparations in various states and sectors for the proposed two-day all India strike against “the anti-worker, antifarmer, anti-people and anti-national policies” of the central government, a statement said. The statement said that roadways, transport workers and electricity workers have decided to join the strike in spite of the impending threat of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).

According to the joint forum, the BJP government at the Centre has intensified the attacks on the working people, reducing the interest rate on EPF accumulations to 8.1 per cent from 8.5 per cent, sudden hike in petrol, LPG, kerosene, CNG etc., taking steps to implement their programme of monetisation (PSU land bundles) but are held back only because of the worsening condition of inflation and crashing share markets.

The meeting condemned these policies, it stated.

Financial sectors, including banking and insurance, are joining the strike. The strike notices have been given by unions in the sectors such as coal, steel, oil, telecom, postal, income tax, copper, banks, insurance among others, the statement said.