The indefinite strike by BSNL employees here that began from 6 a.m. on Tuesday was called off in the evening following the Government's promise that their demands would be looked into in an appropriate manner.
BSNL employees' unions said the decision to withdraw indefinite strike was taken following the government's promise to refer the issue of disinvestment of BSNL, as recommended by the Sam Paitroda panel, to a Group of Ministers (GoM).
Any decision on disinvestment would also be consulted with unions before implementing it. The unions were opposing the move to retrench employees under Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). The entire BSNL employees at the 30 telephone exchanges in Tirupur division commenced their indefinite strike in order to protest against the disinvestment and downsizing of workforce proposals made by Sam Pitroda panel.
Earlier in the day, the striking employees, affiliated to Joint Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations staged a demonstration in front of the BSNL Deputy General Manager in the city.