A trade union leader was killed in Ambala in the wee hours
as the two-day nationwide strike called by the 11 trade unions began on
Wednesday.
"Narender Singh, the treasurer of a AITUC union was
stabbed to death near the Ambala bus stand by some miscreants who wanted to
take out buses from the depot despite the strike," AITUC general secretary
Gurudas Dasgupta said in New Delhi
secretary Gurudas Dasgupta said in New Delhi.
Condemning the murder, Dasgupta said the strike would
continue despite such a heinous attack.
Central trade unions called for two-day mega strike as their
talks with the government failed to reach a conclusion.
Apart from unions owing allegiance to the Left, the
pro-Congress INTUC and pro-BJP BMS are also participating in the strike.
The unions have put forward a charter of 10 demands such as
urgent steps to control price rise, strict enforcement of labour laws in all
places of work, social security net for workers in the unorganised sector, end
to disinvestment in PSUs and raising minimum wage to Rs. 10,000 a month.
Eleven central trade unions had on Monday stuck to their
call for the nationwide strike from Wednesday after talks with senior ministers
-- AK Antony, Sharad Pawar and labour minister Mallikarjun Kharge, convened at
the instance of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh -- failed.
Particular attention was drawn to the huge food subsidy
given by the government to ensure availability of food grains to the poor
through the PDS system.
The representatives were also told about the government's
initiatives in introducing amendments to various labour laws.
The ministers said the National Employment Policy would be
announced shortly to encourage more employment to women and promote skill
development.
"All these issues had been agreed upon by the labour
parliament, which is a tripartite body, with government representation. But the
issues have not been implemented," Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) secretary
general Baijnath Rai told IANS.
The strike has been called jointly by the BMS, Indian 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) and other such central organisations.
Major trade unions on Tuesday held separate meetings ahead
of the two-day general strike called by them from Wednesday demanding redressal
of 10 demands.
The meetings were basically a "stock taking
exercise" ahead of the strike call, CITU General Secretary Tapan Sen said.
He said the government was given enough time to meet the
demands but it failed to address the issues afflicting the working class.
Strike likely to hit normal life in Delhi.Normal life is
likely to be affected in the national capital in view of the two-day nationwide
strike beginning on Wednesday as various trade unions in the city have extended
their support to the agitation.
Functioning of public transport, various hospitals,
educational institutions and banks may get hit as a section of workers engaged
in providing these services has announced their support to the strike called by
11 trade unions.
Commuters, particularly school children and office goers in
the national capital may face inconvenience as a number of auto-rickshaws and
taxi unions have decided to support the strike.
Supply of fruits and vegetables may also be affected as
major trade unions in the Azadpur whole sale market have said that they will
join the strike.
Chief minister Sheila Dikshit has instructed top officials
of the administration to ensure that people in the city do not face any
inconvenience during the two day strike.
Five major auto-rickshaw and taxi unions announced that they
will also join the strike to demand a hike in auto and taxi fares.
A number of bus unions, including a section of Delhi
Transport Corporation employees, have also extended support to the strike.
The Delhi government has cancelled leave of all DTC
employees and asked senior officials of the corporation to be at bus depots
from early morning to ensure a smooth running of the DTC bus service.
Delhi transport minister Ramakant Goswami said around 1,000
RTV (rural transport vehicles) and tourist buses will ply on DTC routes for next
two days.
"These buses have been allowed to ply on DTC routes
under special service. The buses would display DTC route numbers and charge DTC
fares," he said.
A statement from Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's office said
all the major trade unions of DTC including DTC employees Congress, Delhi
Parivehn Mazdoor Sangh, DTC Worker's Union and DTC Unity Center have agreed not
to participate in the strike.
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