Bharat Bandh declared on November 26, several services likely to be affected

NEW DELHI: A nationwide strike on November 26 has been announced by 10 central trade unions to protest new labour policies introduced by the Centre.

Over 25 crore workers are likely to take part in the Bharat Bandh in protest against new policies such as the farm and labour laws, as well as the rampant increase in privatisation of the public sector.

On Saturday, leaders of the participating trade unions had declared that barring those occupied in catering to essential services, workers from all sectors would participate in the nationwide strike.

WHO IS PARTICIPATING?

The ten central unions include Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Co-ordination Centre (TUCC), Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC).

However, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)  which is aligned to the Indian government, has decided to boycott the strike. "It is clarified that BMS and its units will not participate (in) this politically motivated strike on November 26, 2020," said BMS in a statement.

The strike notice has been issued in most parts of the country by associations of government employees in the public sector, as well as the independent sectoral federations.

The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), in a statement said, "It is heartening that the peasants, who are already in the midst of the struggle against the draconian farm laws passed by the Modi govt, support the workers fighting against the anti-worker measures of this government.”

On Tuesday, The  All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) announced to join the strike.

"The Lok Sabha in its recently held session has passed three new labour enactments by dismantling existing 27 enactments in the name of 'Ease of Business', which are purely in the interest of corporates. In the process, 75 percent of workers are being pushed out of the orbits of labour laws since they will have no legal protection under the new enactment," AIBEA stated in its press release.

ALSO READ: Funeral procession of Former CM Tarun Gogoi begins, mortal remains reach official residence

Apart from protesting the new farm, labour, and privatisation policies, the protesters also demand:

Cash transfer of Rs 7,500 per month tor all non-income tax paying families and 10 kilograms free ration per person per month to all needy people.

Expansion of MGNREGA, the rural employment guarantee scheme, to provide 200 days’ work in a year in rural areas at enhanced wages and also extension of the employment guarantee to urban areas.

Withdrawal of all “anti-farmer laws and anti-worker labour codes. The demands also include stopping privatisation of public sector.

Pension to all, scrapping National Pension System and the restoration of the earlier pension system are also some of the demands.

A number of services, including industries, banking, transport, are likely to be affected as the trade unions taking part in one-day strike encompasses a large number of sectors. Farmers, Scheme workers, domestic workers, construction workers, beedi workers, hawkers, vendors, agricultural workers, self-employed in rural and urban areas, auto and taxi drivers, railway, defence employees are also supposed to participate.

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

Download:                                                                  

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.