Employees of the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) observed a day-long strike on Thursday to protest the Union government’s plan to sell 10 per cent stake in the company.
“Almost all workers of all NMDC units are observing the strike. The NDA government’s plan would take the overall disinvestment to 30 per cent. It’s a clear attempt to sell the company slowly,” said Rajesh Sandhu, secretary of the Samyukta Khadan Majdoor Sangh, affiliated to the INTUC, in the Kirandul plant in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.
Mr. Sandhu said the NMDC was making profits, yielding Rs.10, 000 crore in benefits to the government a year. “The 10 per cent stake sale would hardly fetch the government Rs.5,500 crore. Today’s strike is only symbolic. If the government goes ahead with its plan, all NMDC employees will be forced to go on an indefinite strike,” he said.
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The company has 5,500 employees in all units, including 3,100 in the Kirnadul and Bacheli plant.