Trade Union Body Threatens Statewide Stir Over ‘Stringent’ Odisha ESMA

Bhubaneswar: Demanding withdrawal of the Essential Services (Maintenance) Amendment Bill 2020, which was passed in the Odisha Assembly on November 23, the members of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on Wednesday took out a rally at Master Canteen here.

The protesters were, however, taken into custody by police near the Lower PMG Square as they tried to gherao the State Assembly.

Talking to the mediapersons, CPM leader Janardan Pati said that in a democratic setup, the workers have the constitutional right to stage protests and no government can deprive them of their legitimate rights.

Vehemently protesting against the repressive measures of the state government, he said that CITU will stage a statewide agitation. “We will enter the State Assembly and ensure that the legislators frame laws in favour of the workers,” he added.

According to the re-designed legislation, any person found instigating and funding illegal strikes will now be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year and/or imposed a fine up to Rs 5,000.