Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS/HB)

Udupi, Jan 8: Joint Committee of Trade Unions (JCTU) members including All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), bank employees, Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), insurance employees staged a protest at the campus of Corporation Bank here on Tuesday, January 8 condemning the anti-labour policies promoted by the BJP-led NDA government at the Center.

K Shanakar, said, "There is need to create awareness about anti-labour policies of the central government. We stress the government to provide minimum wage to the labourers. In these days, suicide cases are increasing. There are employees, who do not get wage for their effort. The government sector industries are handed over to private management. Union government must pay bonus, gratuity, wage, ESI and many facilities."

P Vishwanath, president of CITU, said, "We did not force anyone to shutdown the shops. The owners of shops have voluntarily shown their support. Today’s strike is successful. There is need to fight for our rights. This fighting spirit should not be restricted to one day."

"More than 10 different unions have supported the strike. The Union government must consider this seriously. Bharathiya Mazdoor Sangha (BMS) is separated from the JCTU and is taking shelter under the NDA government," added Vishwanath.

Vishwanath, employee of insurance Company said, "The government stop making privatization. This will have affect on the entire economy. Moreover, the youngsters will lose job opportunities."

Balakrishna Shetty, general secretary of CITU said, "BSNL is a government owned company. It gives dividend to the government. They are also demanding that BSNL should not lease its towers to private operators. They view this measure proposed by the company and the government as a step towards privatising BSNL by weakening its expansion capacity and revenue from core operations. But this is extreme step of the government."

Sunanda, worker of Akshara Dasoha said, "We are demanding to make us permanent employees. The government should provide us wages during holidays. There is no work and no remuneration during two months of vacation to the schools. If the government did not find a solution, we will go for massive protest in days to come. Let it sanction minimum wage amount for us. Until then, we are not ready to give up our fight."

A Shripathi, Correspondent, Ganesh Kotian of INTUC, Ram Mohan of AIBEA, Shashidhar Golla of BSNLEU, Ravindra A of BEFI, Prabhakar B Kundar of AIIEA and others were present.

The protest rally began from the premises of the LIC office and went through Big Bazar road, Diana circle and K M Marga. After passing through Alankar road, the procession took a turn to Mahatma Gandhi statue and wound up at the office premises of the corporation.

The protesters shouted throughout the rally against the union government. Anganwadi activists, beedi workers and other small industrial organizations also joined their hands in the protest.