Bharat Bandh: Trade unions flay labour codes

Services including banking, insurance, postal, coal mining and others will be affected Wednesday as more than 25 crore workers are all set to participate in a nationwide agitation, opposing, what they say, the anti-worker, anti-farmer, and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the Union government aimed at weakening the collective bargaining power of trade unions.

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A forum of 10 central trade unions which is organising the 'Bharat Bandh' alleged that their 17-point charter of demands submitted to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya last year was ignored by the government. Their key demands include filling up of sanctioned posts, creation of additional employment opportunities, withdrawal of the Union government's four labour codes, hike in both the number of workdays and remuneration for MGNREGA workers, and introduction of a similar legislation for urban areas. Speaking to Orissa POST correspondent Manoj Kumar Jena, several trade union leaders shared their views on the bandh

All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC) state secretary Jayasen Meher said, "After coming to power, the BJP has been trying to take away the rights of the trade unions and the workers. This government has scrapped 29 out of 51 labour laws to favour capitalists. We want the government to withdraw the four labour codes."

Mahendra Parida, state general secretary of All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), said, "10 central trade unions have united against the government to fulfil their 17-point charter of demands and oppose the labour codes. Besides, we also demand increase in minimum wage of labourers and ensure proper job security for workers. The government should also stop privatisation of national properties."