India: Tens Of Millions Strike To Protest Low Wages

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India: Tens Of Millions Strike To Protest Low Wages

Tens of millions of public sector workers across India have gone on strike in protest against low wages and pensions along with government economic reforms.

The one day walk out on Friday was called for by ten major unions after negotiations over wages with the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley failed, according to reports.

Union officials hailed the strike as “the world’s largest ever” industrial action, which cost the economy up to 180bn rupees (£2bn), according to an industry group.

Press TV reports:

Media cited labor union officials as saying that about 180 million government employees working in public sector banks, schools, postal services, hospitals, power plants and mines were taking part in the 24-hour nationwide industrial action. However, the number of workers on strike is not verified yet.

Ramen Pandey of the Indian National Trade Union Congress said the strike would be “the world’s largest ever.”

The unions have presented a charter of 12 demands, which includes a monthly minimum wage of Rs 18,000 (USD 270) and a pension of Rs 3,000 (USD 45).

In addition to a pay hike, union leaders want the government to cancel plans to shut down state factories not making profit, raise foreign investment caps in some industries and sell off stakes in state-run companies.

The Center of Indian Trade Unions said the strikers wanted “an end to the all-round attack launched by the government against their lives, livelihood and dignity.”

The labor unions accuse the government of taking side with the huge corporations in a “vile conspiracy… to privatize the public sector and invite foreign capital in some parts of industry.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s controversial labor reforms and plans to sell off government stakes to the private sector have been a source of suspicion among the people.

1 Comment

  1. The US government should send some municipal cops there to restore law and order. Since the population is brown-skinned, the cops will have no problem with shooting everyone who protests.

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