Trade unions to go on strike on September 2 against Centre's policy

SHIMLA: Alleging NDA government of having "anti-worker" policies, trade union across the spectrum have joined hands to go on a day-long strike on September 2.

The representatives of BMS, AITUC, INTUC, CITU, HMS, BSNL, insurance, banks and HRTC employees unions, met here today, opposed the policies of the Union government and resolved to make the strike successful in Himachal Pradesh.

The leaders expressed concern over "rising prices, disinvestment in public sector undertakings, rabid privatisation, failure to implement the labour laws and move to amend the labour laws in favour of employers" and vowed to fight for rights of workers.

The trade union leaders demanded immediate steps to check rising prices, brake on privatisation of banks, BSNL, insurance, defence, coal, power and transport sectors, implementation of labour laws, Rs 15,000 per month as minimum wages, government employees status to Anganwadi and mid-day meal workers, ending contract system, and wages at par with regular workers to contractual employees and pension for all workers.