Trade Unions’ Bandh gets good response in Udupi District
Udupi: The day-long strike called by trade unions to oppose the NDA government’s “anti-labour” policies and demand better wages, turned out to be a total shut down in the district.
The strike evoked a near-total response in the district as shops and business establishments were shut down. Thousands of employees joined the strike along with nationalised banks and telecom sectors.
Roads were deserted as autorickshaws and other private and commercial vehicles, including state transport buses, stayed away. Some autorickshaws were seen plying in some areas of the district. Nearly 70 percent of the schools and colleges remained closed. Bus stops wore a bare look. City Bus stop in Udupi was converted into a temporary cricket stadium and cricket matches were played.
Meanwhile, the bandh partially affected normal life, mainly of the commuters and long distance travellers as they have to wait for the resumption of normal services.
The Joint Committee of Trade Unions held a protest march from LIC building Ajjarkad which passed through Big Bazar, PPC road, Court road, KM Marg, Service bus-stand and culminated at the Corporation Bank premises.
Activists of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, the All India Trade Union Congress, the All India United Trade Union Centre, the Insurance Employees Union, the All India Bank Employees Association, the BSNL Employees Union, the National Federation of Postal Employees, the National Federation of Telecom Employees and other left trade unions raised slogans against the Union Government.
Addressing the protesters Vishwanath Rai CITU leader said that the strike was total and successful. People from all walks of life spontaneously supported the strike to denounce the BJP led central government’s anti-people labour policies and demanded increase of wages. Prices of several essential commodities have steadily risen for the past two years. The Union government should take immediate measures to control the price raise, he added.
He also demanded to stop contractualization of labour for perennial work, and ensure the payment of same wage and benefits for contract workers as regular workers; scrapping of proposed labour law amendments and universal social security for all workers.
Various trade unions like INTUC, AITUC, CITU, AIUTUC, HMS, TUCC, HMKP took part in protest march.
