CITU gears up for Aug 8 strike

KOLKATA: Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has called a nationwide strike in unorganised sector on August 8, demanding a comprehensive legislation for the workers in the sector, fixing and implementation of their minimum wage and a uniform wage structure.

The Congress-led UPA government at the Centre had unilaterally announced tabling of a law in the Monsoon session of Parliament "without considering the social security of the workers in the unorganised sector, uniform wage for women labourers and creation of a working environment," A CITU spokesman said here on Thursday.

Nearly 93 per cent of the total labour force in the country, totalling about 37 crore, were in the unorganised sector, earning a livelihood in agriculture, construction, rural industries, cottage industries and various types of other services.

Stating that millions of labourers in the sector were victims of suppression and deprivation, CITU said they had been hard hit with the implementation of the economic liberalisation policy in 1990.

It alleged that the UPA government was following the same line adopted by the previous regime.

"CITU demands that a comprehensive legislation be immediately enacted in Parliament for the welfare of these people," it said.

In preparation for the strike, CITU has been observing a Demand Week from July 20.