Mumbai:
The 24 hour Bharat Bandh called on January 8 by an array of 28 trade unions across various sectors is expected to cripple business and public life across the country. The central and state government employees unions, trade unions and other groups have called for the Bandh in protest against labour reforms, foreign direct investment (FDI), disinvestment, corporatisation and privatisation policies. The Bandh is expected to affect the railways, bus transport, autorickshaw and taxi services, banks, insurance, aviation, goods transport and other essential services.
In various statements issued by these Unions, they argue that the aim of the Bharat Bandh is also to force the Central government to agree to 12-point common demands of the working class, including on minimum wage and social security. The trade unions claim that nearly 25 crore people are likely to take part in the day long Bharat Bandh
The Bharat Bandh is being supported by the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), Peasants and Workers Party of India (PWP-I) and others.
The trade unions which have given the Bharat Bandh call include – Bharatiya Kamgar Sena (BKS – Shiv Sena), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC), Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC), All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA), Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), Indian National Bank Employees Federation (INBEF), Indian National Bank Officers Congress (INBOC) and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC).
Meanwhile, the Centre has advised the public sector undertakings under its jurisdiction to impress upon their employees not to participate in the Bharat Bandh. In a terse warning issued earlier in the day it has reminded that any of its employee going on strike in any form including protests will face consequences which include salary cut and disciplinary action. The Center has asked its PSUs to keep contingency plan ready to ensure smooth functioning of its enterprises.
