The Communist Party of India (Marxist) in the State has announced full support to the all-India 48-hour trade union strike on February 20 and 21. CPI (M) city secretary Ch. Babu Rao in a statement said that trade unions, including the CPI(M) called for a 48-hour strike to register their protest against the Central government’s anti-people, anti-employee, and anti-worker policies.
He said this was the first time that trade unions have called for a 48-hour strike. He said after UPA-2 came to power it was cutting down subsidies and imposing anti-people reforms.
Because of this measure, prices went up and even essential commodities have gone out of the reach of even the middleclass. The CPI (M) cadre were confused about the party’s stand on the 48-hour strike because the party high command in West Bengal opposed the 48-hour strike limiting it just the first day. The high command requested the CITU to restrict the strike to just 24-hours and the trade union obliged. This, however, is applicable only to the State of West Bengal.
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TNTUC support
Leaders of Telugu Nadu Trade Union Council (TNTUC), a wing of TDP, has extended support to the proposed nation-wide strike on February 20 and 21.
In the union executive committee meeting held here on Friday, TNTUC Vijayawada Urban general secretary M. Ramaswamy said leaders of various trade unions will organise a bike rally from Tummalapalli Kalakshetram to Lenin Centre, to enlighten the people on the 48-hour bandh, on Saturday. The union is demanding to provide Rs.10,000 minimum wages, protection for workers serving in unauthorised sectors, give six months maternity leave for women, lift ceiling on bonus and gratuity, abolish outsourcing system and open additional centres for issuing Aadhar Cards.
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Leaders K.K.S. Sudhakar, M. Adi Babu, D. Srinu, P. Shankar and others attended the meeting.