Trade Unions call for total shutdown in Tirupur on Sept. 2

Leading trade unions have called for a total shutdown in Tirupur district alone, along with the general strike planned on September 2.

They include AITUC, CITU, INTUC, HMS, LPF, MLF, BMS and Labour Liberation Party. M. Chandran, State secretary of CITU, told reporters that the total shutdown would be to press for enforcing labour union rights in all industrial units, eight-hour shift for workers, social security benefits such as pension and health insurance for unorganised set of workers, and abolition of contract labour.

Industrial units should also fix basic wages for workers at Rs 15,000 a month, he added.

Coimbatore , Kovai Jilla Tourist Taxi, Van, Tempo Thozhilalar Sangam of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and Joint Action Committee of Coimbatore District Autorickshaw Workers’ Union have decided to take part in the nation wide strike call given by the various central trade unions to condemn the anti-people and anti-labour policies of the Union Government.

In separate meetings organised by the two associations recently to discuss the issues, they passed resolutions against efforts to privatise the Transport Department and asked the government to bring down the price hike of essential commodities.

AITUC also demanded closure of all liquor outlets and suitable jobs for Tasmac employees in other government departments.

The union also demanded fuel at subsidised price for autorickshaws, taxis and vans, an increase in the monthly dole for retired drivers from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000 and free education for children of employees enrolled in the government’s welfare boards.

State president of AITUC, K. Subbarayan and secretary M. Arumugam took part in the meeting.

P.K. Sukumaran, President of the joint action committee of autorickshaw trade unions (comprising ten trade unions), condemned the government’s bid to cancel drivers licence of those above 60 years.

“It will affect livelihoods as many drivers are above that age,” he said. About 15,000 autorickshaws in the district would take part in the strike on September 2, Mr. Sukumaran said.