TUs join hands with Intuc for fulfilment of demands

PATNA: In a first, all the Central trade union organizations have joined hands with the Indian National Trade Union Congress (Intuc) to raise the issues like price rise, disinvestment and proper implementation of labour laws across the country.

They have jointly decided to stage dharna in front of Parliament on December 15 in support of their demands. In the state capitals, they will stage dharna in front of the assembly while in districts they will do the same at the collectorate the same day.

Intuc national president G Sanjeeva Reddy, MP, said that the delegation of trade unions (TUs) would also submit a memorandum to PM Manmohan Singh as well as Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. Reddy after being elected Intuc national president for the fourth time reached here for the first time.

Talking to reporters here on Monday, Reddy said that for the first time all the major trade union organizations, including AITUC, BMS, HMS and CITU, have set up a coordination committee under the leadership of Intuc to raise issues related to the common masses, including unorganized sector labourers and public sector employees jointly.

Intuc chief said: "Last month we held series of meetings jointly to discuss issues related to the price rise, disinvestment, contract labourers and non-implementation of labour laws, including the minimum wages."

A joint delegation had met the PM last month. "We had a cordial meeting with the PM in which we discussed all the major issues. On price rise, the PM had assured us that it would be controlled within six months," Reddy said.

Regarding other related issues, the PM had assured the delegation that the next meeting would be held along with finance, labour and food ministers, Reddy said. "Last month, we had also organized a protest day," he said.

Bihar state Intuc chief Chandra Prakash Singh, who was also present at the press conference, alleged that the Bihar government has failed to make any major investment in Bihar during the last four years. Singh also said that the employees of Lauriya distilleries are still to get their salary and other dues. The Bihar government has already got amount to the tune of Rs 29 crore after selling the distilleries to the HPCL, he claimed.

Singh also said that the employees working in local bodies in Bihar are still getting old payscales.