THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The INTUC agitation declaration rally on Thursday gave a clarion call to all workers to rise in unison against move to sell off many prestigious and profit making central PSUs across the country and to dilute labour laws against the covenants laid by the International Labour Organisation.
The proposed agitation to be spearheaded jointly by all trade unions in the coming months against the pro-corporate policies of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, including the three-day Parliament march during November 9-11 and 48 hour-long strike in January 2018 covering all sectors, including Railways, Aviation and Ports, is going be a watershed in the history of the country, said Dr G Sanjiva Reddy, INTUC national president, while inaugurating the valedictory meet of the rally here on Thursday. Sharply flaying the Centre’s policies, terming it as becoming more and more detrimental to the public sector and those who had put all their strength and hopes in it, he sought the support of the working class in the state for the movement.
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister A K Antony, who was supposed to inaugurate the meet, gave a message over phone, on the occasion. He said the issues raised in the rally led by R Chandrasekharan was relevant and timely. INTUC organisational secretary V J Joseph welcomed the gathering. District president V R Pratapan presided over the meet. National secretary Palode Ravi, MLAs V S Sivakumar, K S Sabarinathan and M Vincent and others addressed the meet.