The majority of central trade unions on Friday rejected the government’s appeal to call off their countrywide strike on September 2, except the RSS-backed Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, which said it would take a final call on the issue after their meeting on Saturday.

The decision comes a day after talks with the inter-Ministerial panel, led by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, to discuss their 12-point charter of demands submitted by 11 trade unions and several federations such as of banks, insurance, defence, coal, ports, power, road transport, telecom, Central/State government employees etc.

They are demanding withdrawal of “pro-corporate” labour law amendments, disinvestment of public sector units, the land acquisition Bill, minimum wages of not less than ₹15,000/month among others.

“All trade unions were unanimous about going ahead with the strike, but Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh wanted it to be deferred, as it felt that the government’s attitude was positive. We have appealed to them for the sake of unity. They have said they will meet on Saturday and take a final call,” DL Sachdeva, National Secretary, All India Trade Union Congress, told BusinessLine .

At the Ministerial panel meeting held on August 26-27, the second to be held this year, the government had assured trade unions that it was committed to the welfare of labour, the Labour Ministry said.

“Jaitley assured the central trade unions that all labour laws reforms will be done with due discussions and tripartite consultations,” and official release said.

The government also assured them that an appropriate legislation will be brought for making formula-based wages mandatory and applicable to all employees across the country.

“Regarding contract workers, the government assured that they will be guaranteed minimum wages. Moreover, the government is working out ways so that workers of industries will get sector specific minimum wages,” it said.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW