The Hindu Business Line : No compromise on workers' rights: CITU

There can be no compromise when workers are denied their rights in situations where there is "a smooth aggression on existing labour laws in the name of flexibility," the President of the State unit of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Mr Shyamal Chakravarty, told industrialists here on Monday.

"Strikes are resorted to (by workers) in West Bengal only as a last resort and we are trying enough to educate our rank and file (in the unions) to the changing global scenario. But there is bound to be a revolt if social security and workers' rights are denied," Mr Chakravarty said.

"CITU is not irresponsible, at least in West Bengal. Our Chief Minister is trying to facilitate the setting up of industries in the State and we (the CITU leadership) are very happy with the pace of developments," he reiterated at an interaction with a section of industrialists a day before an association for employees in the city's information technology sector is to be launched for the first time in the State.

Confrontation and collision of interests were often the case in worker-management relationships "but there is need for flexibility" on the part of both the sides to arrive at a "meeting-point for (the sake of) peace in industry," the CITU leader said. The interactive session was organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce.

"Workers have their point of view, industrialists have theirs. We have to see where the two can meet but one-sided forcible imposition (of labour strictures) will be resisted by the workers whether they belong to the CITU or any other trade union," Mr Chakravarty pointed out.

"We (the CITU) want industry in the State, new industries are arriving and we want industry to survive but keeping in mind the survival of the workers," he said

On the question of flexibility in labour laws, which a section of industrialists were demanding, the CITU leader asked why such a requirement was not being made by big industry.

"It is only some petty businessmen here and there who are trying to take advantage of the situation (arising from the neo-liberal economic policies) to blame the so-called trade union movement in India. Neither do the new industries complain on this count; rather they are happy," Mr Chakravarty observed.

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