Labour reforms: Central trade unions barring BMS to go on strike on September 2

NEW DELHI: All central trade unions barring the Rashtriya Swayam Sanghaffiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh have declared that they will go on a daylong nationwide strike on September 2 to protest against what they term unilateral amendments in labour laws and the government’s indifference towards their 12-point charter of demands.

The unions had called for an all-India general strike under the joint declaration at the National Convention on Wednesday which was attended by leaders of INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, UTUC and LPF. However, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh did not turn up for the convention and was not part of the declaration issued at the convention.

The unions have asked their members to organise a day-long mass dharna or satyagraha in state capitals and industrial centres on August 9 (Quit India Day) ahead of the strike.

They have also decided to organise joint conventions and campaigns in June-July in states, districts and at industry level, along with taking a initiative to involve peasants, agriculture labour and the masses in the campaign.

The declaration said the government, totally ignoring the united opposition of the workers, has been moving fast to demolish existing labour laws, thereby empowering the employers with unfettered rights to “hire and fire” and stripping the workers and trade unions of all their rights and protection provided in laws.

“As follow up to the PMO’s written communication to the chief secretaries of states, states are being directed to carry out Rajasthan type pro-management amendments in labour laws. The labour secretary has issued executive order on January 12, 2016 granting exemption to so called start-up enterprises from inspection and application of nine major labour laws, thereby legitimising violations,” it said.

The unions expressed their reservations against the proposed Small Factories Bill, as per which major 14 labour laws will not apply to factories employing up to 40 workers.

Similarly, they opposed the Labour Code on Wages Bill and Labour Code on Industrial Relations Bill, saying that “under the cover of amalgamation, these bills seek to make registration of unions almost impossible, making retrenchment and closure almost free for the employers class”.