INTUC Support for Trade Union Strike

BHUBANESWAR: The State unit of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) has extended support to the strike called by all Central trade union organisations on March 10 against the anti-labour policies of the Centre and some State Governments.

A decision to this effect was taken at the State executive meeting of the INTUC presided by State unit president and former Rajya Sabha member Ramchandra Khuntia. The former MP said the strike has called to protest lack of response from the Centre to the 12-point charter of demands submitted by the Central trade unions.

Alleging that the Centre is trying to bring large scale changes in the labour laws for the benefit of the corporates and capitalists, Khuntia called upon all labourers and employees to oppose such designs of the Government.

Khuntia warned that the INTUC will launch a Statewide agitation if the State Government fails to ensure social security for 1.5 crore workers and labourers in unorganised sector. Besides, he demanded that retirement age of employees in the private sector should be raised from 58 to 60.

Proposal to raise power tariff in the State was strongly opposed in the meeting. Besides, Khuntia warned the Paradip Phosphates Limited for trying to force workers to take voluntary retirement.