CITU on Wednesday asked the Visakhapatnam Port Contract Workers’ Union to paralyse the port operations on September 2 as part of the nationwide general strike being called by central trade unions in protest against ‘anti-labour’ policies of the NDA government.
At a meeting addressed by CITU city general secretary M. Jaggu Naidu, the contract workers were explained the need to take an active part in the strike. He said the strike was meant to express anger against the changes being brought about in labour laws in the name of reforms.
He said Industrial Disputes Act was proposed to be applicable to the firms engaging more than 40 workers from existing 20. Similarly, the ESI Act was being changed to deny paid holidays during treatment to the workers.
Provident fund contribution introduced as a social security measure was being made optional.
Mr. Naidu said DA freeze had been proposed for contract workers and demanded minimum monthly payment of Rs.15,000 to all contract workers and perquisites on par with all permanent employees.
The CITU leader said for declaring closure or lay-off, the government clearance was being exempted to all the firms with employee strength of 300 instead of 40. “It is time to oppose the policies proposed to muzzle the voice of workers,” said Viskhapatnam Port Contract Workers’ Union general secretary B. Jagan.
Trade unions call for nationwide general strike on September 2
