Mangalore, Feb 20: Members of trade unions and bank employees got together in protest against the UPA government's anti-people policies under the banner of United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) as part of the 48 hour nation-wide strike called by central trade unions, in Mangalore on Wednesday.
Speaking on the occasion, B Madhava, senior CPI(M) leader and Convener, UFBU, said that 11 national labour unions besides several independent trade unions are participating in the two- day strike, while stating that there has been good response for the same in Dakshina Kannada district.
The policies of the UPA government have forced employees and labour class to get out on streets in protest, Mr. Madhava said.
“Ever since the UPA government has taken reigns, prices have continuously gone up. People are furious over UPA's policies and it has showed in their response to the strike today. The problem of price rise not just concerns trade unions and employees but also the common man. Prices of rice have shot up to Rs. 50 per kg. It is not that there is shortage of rice in the country. Rice and wheat costing about Rs. 6 crore is getting rotten in Food Corporation of India's go-downs. In spite of the Supreme Court directive that the rice be distributed among poor, the government is not releasing it in the market as it is thinking in terms of its financial viability. Prices of petrol and diesel have also continuously gone up. The government has even decontrolled petrol and diesel allowing oil companies to decide rates. The government is more pro-corporate and less pro-people”, Mr. Madhava said.
Rebutting the claim that such strikes cause huge losses to the country's economy, Mr. Madhava said that trade unions and employees are participating in the strike knowing fully well that even their salaries would have to be sacrificed.
“Economic experts have commented in newspapers that the two day strike will cause a loss of Rs. 20,000 crore to the country's economy. But this number is nothing compared to the numbers of the 2G and Coalgate scams. Besides, the common man and labour class are participating in the strike sacrificing their own salary. The petty shop owners and petty vendors will be hugely affected if a policy like FDI comes in. They are aware of the problems ahead and hence even the petty shop owners and everyday workers have extended support to our strike of their own wish”, Mr. Madhava said.
Prakash of UFOBU said in his address that bank employees and bank unions have been fighting for their rights for the past two years but the government has confined itself to mere assurances. Corporate houses do not pay back loans taken from banks but the government takes no action against them. The government is of the corporates, by the corporates and for the corporates, he said.
The demands of UFBU include control of alarming price rise, stopping of anti-worker labour reforms, stopping of bank reforms, discouragement to outsourcing, early wage revision, and settlement of pending issues like compassionate appointment scheme.
Demands
The demands of central trade unions include concrete measures to contain price rise, steps for employment generation, strict enforcement of labour laws, universal social security cover for organized and unorganized workers, creation of national social security fund, stoppage of disinvestment in central and state PSUs/Undertakings, no contractorisation of work of permanent/ perennial nature, payment of wages and benefits to the contract workers at the same rate as available to the regular workers of the industry/ establishment, amendment of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage irrespective of schedules, revision of statutory minimum wage at not less than Rs. 10,000 linked with cost price index, removal of all cellings on payment and eligibility of bonus, provident fund and increase in quantum of gratuity, assured pension for all, besides compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days and immediate ratification of the ILO conventions no.87 and 98.
Related: Mixed response to trade unions strike in Coastal Karnataka
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