CITU, INTUC shun Coal Ministry meet on strike

KOLKATA: Major trade unions of coal sector from CITU and INTUC have decided not to attend the meeting convened by the Coal Ministry today to discuss the September 2 strike, to protest against the proposed stake sale in Coal India.

"We will not attend the meeting today convened by the Coal Ministry," CITU-backed All India Coal Workers' Federation General Secretary Jibon Roy said.

INTUC-backed Indian National Mineworkers' Federation Secretary General S Q Zama said they would also not attend the meeting called by the Ministry.

Other trade unions are also unlikely to attend the meeting, except Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh.

To protest against the proposed stake sale in Coal India, its major trade unions will support the September 2 nationwide strike against the central government's labour law reforms.

The strike is called by 11 central trade unions of the country.

The operating trade unions in coal industry and common coal workers are against further 10 per cent disinvestment in Coal India Ltd.

The main demands of the trade unions include stopping disinvestment of state/central government/public sector undertakings, and giving pension guarantee to all workers, among others.