New Delhi: Farmers from across the country would join the nationwide general strike called by central trade unions on January 8 and 9 to protest against the Narendra Modi-led BJP government policies for workers.
“AIKS and Bhumi Adhikar Andolan will observe ‘gramin hartal’, rail roko and road roko on those days. This move is against the Modi government’s failure to address rural distress issues and to save rural farmers’ lands from the corporates. The farmers will extend all support to the ensuing general strike,” said General Secretary of the CPI(M)-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha Hannan Mollah told the media.
Atul Kumar Anjaan of the CPI’s peasant wing said that the action committee of farmers in their meeting decided that when the workers, employees and common people are protesting against the Modi government’s policies, the farmers will also join them.
Ten trade unions – INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, AICCTU, UTUC, TUCC, LPF and SEWA – have jointly called for the nationwide general strike.
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Senior trade union leader from Odisha Souribandhu Kar, “We are making all efforts to make the shutdown total and successful to send a strong message against the regressive policies of the Narendra Modi government.”
General Secretary of CITU, Tapan Sen, said that public sector employees, unorganized sector workers, port and dock workers, bank and insurance employees are going to participate in the nationwide protests against growing economic crisis, price hike and acute unemployment.
The CITU denounced the government’s move to amend the Trade Union Act 1926 to bring about “so-called transparency” and avoiding “duplicity” and alleged that it would “impose slavery on the working people”.
“In Rafale deal, there was no transfer of technology. State-owned HAL was kept away from the entire deal. This government will do similar practice when it will sign another two mega defence deals for F-16 fighter aircraft with Lockheed Martin Corporation of US and purchase of Naval frigates from Russia,” Sen added.
Banking services are likely to be affected on January 8-9 as a section of PSU bank employees would also join the strike, extending their support to the trade unions. The All India Bank Employees Association and Bank Employees Federation of India has already informed the Indian Banks’ Association about joining the strike.
(With agency inputs)
