Left, Right and Centre TUs join hands against divestment

NEW DELHI: When Congress goes in for disinvestment of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), it will face resistance from the Left, Right and Centre. After Congress��� INTUC, the saffron trade union wing BMS has decided to back the central trade unions��� anti-government agitation.

In a letter to INTUC president Sajeeva Reddy, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh general secretary K Lakshma Reddy said: ���Since the issues are common and joint struggle is necessary to protect interests of workers, we endorse the decision taken jointly by the unions on July 19.��� He said BMS could not attend the July 19 meeting due to a communication gap.

INTUC, which along with the left unions ��� AITUC and CITU ��� and HMS has decided to resist the UPA government���s economic policies, has convened a meeting of leaders of all unions on August 6. BMS is expected to participate in the meeting.

The RSS-backed union had opposed the move for disinvestment of 25% equity in Visakhapatnam Steel Plant in 2007. The government was forced to drop the idea. With all the unions getting together at a time when Congress��� allies Trinamool Congress and DMK are also opposing disinvestment in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), the government���s disinvestment plans could be in the red. The government, which has declared its commitment to the reform process, has already begun the process of consultation with allies.

The trade unions have also decided to oppose government���s policies on issues such as price rise of essential commodities, especially food grains; rising job losses and unemployment; violation of basic labour laws; inadequacy of provisions under the Unorganised Sector Act, 2008 ; and the government-proposed disinvestment plans.
They are likely to petition Prime Minister Manmohan Singh listing out their grievances and opposing government���s approach. The Central TUs will also hold a national convention on September 14.