Trade Unions in the coal sector on Saturday asked their members to go on a five-day strike from January 6 to protest what they saw as a move on the part of the Government to de-nationalise the sector.
At least one trade union, the Indian National Mineworkers Federation affiliated to the INTUC asked its members to observe the strike in a militant do or die manner. Five central trade unions affiliated to the BMS, the HMS, AITUC, CITU and INTUC have given the strike call.
The participating TUs also boycotted a meeting scheduled with the Union Coal Secretary. IINMF Secretary General S Q Zama told The Hindu that there was no point in holding a meeting after the government re-promulgation of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill 2014 in Lok Sabha on December 26, ignoring the strike notice served on December 17.
Pointing out that the Government may try to invoke the Esseential Services Maintenance Act or take legal recourse, the INTUC union asked its leadership to be on its guard while being prepared to tackle any eventuality.
They said that while the strike would be observed from the first shift of January 6 to third shift of January 10, essential services like medical, water supply and education would be exempted.
Contract workers will also be motivated to support the strike, the TUs said.
