Trade unions to strike work on 20-21 February against price hike, labour law violations

Trade unions and workers' federations have called for a two-day nationwide strike starting from 20 February to protest government's ''inaction'' on the price rise and ''violations'' of labour laws.

The strike is being jointly coordinated by 11 central trade unions and workers federations, including, the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), the 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) and other organisations.

Over 100 million workers are expected to participate in the strike, according to AITUC general secretary Gurudas Dasgupta.

''For the first time all trade unions have come together for a two-day strike as the government has not taken any action to look into the problems of sky-rise inflation, disinvestment in public sector units and non-implementation of labour laws,'' Dasgupta said.

The unions said they have been forced to resort to a strike as the government was in no mood to listen to the demands of the working class. The unions say the government has so far failed to respond to their demands despite several representations.

''The last-minute meeting called by labour minister Mallikarjun Kharge on 13 February was also not forthcoming on solving issue concerning the labour ministry, which only helped to strengthen the resolve for (the) strike,'' he said.