Two days strike Impact-Next meeting with Trade Unions is scheduled on 22nd May, 2013.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 6472

ANSWERED ON 07.05.2013

TRADE UNION STRIKE

   6472 .    Shri BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB

   SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

   (a)    Whether the trade unions have organized two days strike/bandh on 20 and 21 February, 2013 in the country;

   (b)    If so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

   (c)    Whether the Government has constituted a Committee to examine the reasons behind the protests and violence and if so, the details thereof; and

   (d)    The details of the main recommendations of the Committee along with the outcome thereof and the follow-up action taken by the Government thereon?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS ( SHRI R. P. N. SINGH )

   (a) & (d): Yes Madam. Trade unions have organized two days strike/bandh on 20 and 21 February, 2013 in the country. The agitation is to press for their 10-point charter of demands including check on price rise, strict enforcement of labour laws, concrete measures for employment generation, universal social security cover for workers and creation of a National Social Security Fund, stoppage of contractorisation of work of permanent/perennial nature and payment of wages and other benefits to contract workers at par with regular workers, amendment to Minimum Wages Act for fixation of statutory minimum wages @ Rs. 10,000 per month and stoppage of disinvestment in PSUs.

   (c) & (d): Hon’ble Minister for Labour & Employement had held a meeting on 13.02.2013 with the representatives of All the Major Central Trade Unions and requested them not to resort to strike on 20th & 21st February, 2013. Subsequently, GOM consisting of Senior Cabinet Ministers held round of discussion on 18.02.2013 and conveyed the serious intent of the Government to resolve various issues raised in their charter of demands. Inspite of the meeting, the Major Central Trade Unions have resorted to strike on 20th & 21st February, 2013. The discussions by the GOM with the representatives of the Major Central Trade Unions is a continuous process and is scheduled next on 22.05.2013 to resolve the demands.

   No Madam, No committee has been constituted by the Government to examine the reasons behind the protests and violence. However, Hon’ble Minister of Labour & Employment has held a meeting on 13.02.2013 with the representatives of Major Central Trade Union and requested them not to resort to strike on 20th & 21st February, 2013. Subsequently, GOM consisting of Senior Cabinet Ministers held a round of discussion on 18.02.2013 and convey the serious intent of the Government to resolve various issues raised in their demand. Inspite of that all the Major Central Trade Unions resorted to strike on 20th & 21st February, 2013 throughout the country.

Source: www.loksabha.nic.in

Government Initiatives on proposed Strike by the Central Trade Unions.

   As directed by the Prime Minister, senior Ministers in the Union Cabinet – Shri A.K. Antony, Defence Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar, Minister for Agriculture and Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister for Labour & Employment held a round of discussions with the representatives of the Central Trade Unions on the evening of 18th February to convey the serious intent of the Government to resolve the various issues raised in their charter of demands. The list of participants is at.

   The representatives of the Central Trade Unions reiterated their demand for the Government to take concrete measures to contain price rise, to ensure employment generation, strict enforcement of labour laws, universal social security for unorganized and organized workers, stoppage of disinvestment in Central and State Public Sector Undertakings. Some of the issues raised by them also related to payment of minimum wages of Rs.10,000/-, abolition of contract labour, payment of equal wages and benefits to contract workers at par with regular workers, removal of all ceilings on payment and eligibility of bonus, provident fund, increasing the quantum of gratuity, assured pension for all, compulsory registration of trade unions within 45 days and immediate ratification of the ILO Convention No.87 and 98.

  The Ministers explained to the representatives of the Central Trade Unions the various measures taken by the Government to control price-rise and contain inflation in the country. Particular attention was drawn to the huge food subsidy incurred by the Government to ensure availability of food grains to the poor at very concessional rates through the Public Distribution System. The Government’s efforts to pass the Food Security Bill in the Parliament will further increase the availability of subsidized food grains to the larger segments of the population and the Government is prepared to meet the extra burden on this account. The Government’s commitment to help the poor is also evident from the large amount of subsidy for fertilizers and fuel to ensure their supply at reasonable rate to the people.

   The Government is also keen to introduce amendments to the Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970, Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and various other labour laws to improve the conditions of the workers and to give them substantial relief. A National Employment Policy is going to be announced shortly to encourage higher employment to women, to promote skill development and inclusive growth. Some of these proposals are going to be discussed in the meetings of the Union Cabinet shortly. The Government has already approved the National Manufacturing Policy in November, 2011 which envisages the creation of 100 million jobs in the country by 2022.

   The Ministers pointed out the huge loss to the economy in case the strike is resorted to by the Central Trade Unions. Apart from substantial production loss, the strike is also likely to cause inconvenience to the general public and loss of wages to the workers. In view of this, the Ministers appealed to the Central Trade Union Leaders to call off the strike.

   At the end of the meeting, the representatives of the Central Trade Unions informed that they are going to discuss the proposal of the Government in a meeting on 19th Feb., 2013 and take further decision on the proposed strike.

Source: PIB

Various forms of protest action on two days Nationwide General strike on 20th and 21st February,2013.

 

MOST IMMEDIATE

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES
AND PENSIONS
NORTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI-110001

D.O. No. 33012/1(s)/2013-Estt-B

  Dated the 15th  February, 2013

Dear Sir/Madam,

   The Joint Platform of Action of Government and Associate Services Employee's Organizations — All India Committee has given a notice that the affiliated organizations of JPA and the mass of employees working in Government services throughout the country will boycott work and resort to various forms of protest action on two days Nationwide General strike on 20th  & 21 st  February, 2013 in pursuance of their Charter of Demands.

   2. The instructions issued by the Department of Personnel & Training prohibit the Government servants from participating in any form of strike including mass casual leave, go-slow etc. or any action that abet any form of strike in violation of Rule 7 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Besides, in accordance with the proviso to Rule 17 (1) of the Fundamental Rules, pay and allowances is not admissible to an employee for his absence from duty without any authority. As to the concomitant rights of an Association after it is formed, they cannot be different from the rights which can be claimed by the individual members of which the Association is composed. It follows that the right to form an Association does not include any guaranteed right to strike. There is no statutory provision empowering the employees to go on strike. The Supreme Court has also agreed in several judgments that going on a strike is a grave misconduct under the Conduct Rules and that misconduct by the Government employees is required to be dealt with in accordance with the law. Any employee going on strike in any form would face the consequences which, besides deduction of wages, may also include appropriate disciplinary action. In this connection, your kind attention is also drawn to this Department's OM No. 33012/1(s)/2008-Estt (B) (pt) dated 12th  September, 2008 (copy enclosed)

   3. A Joint Consultative Machinery for Central Government employees' is already functioning. This scheme has been introduced with the object of promoting harmonious relations and of securing the greatest measure of co-operation between the Government, in its capacity as employer, and the general body of its employees in matters of common concern, and with the object, further of increasing the efficiency of the public service. The JCM at the different levels have been discussing issues brought before it for consideration and either reaching amicable settlement or referring the matter to the Board of Arbitration in relation to pay and allowances, weekly hours of work and leave, whenever no amicable settlement could be reached in relation to these items.

   4. The Central Government Employees under your Ministry/Departments may, therefore, be suitably informed of the aforesaid instructions under the Conduct Rules issued by this Department and other regulations upheld by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and dissuaded from resorting to strike in any form. You may also issue instructions not to sanction Casual Leave or other kind of leave to employees if applied for, during the period of the proposed strike and ensure that the willing employees are allowed hindrance free entry into the office premises. For this purpose, Joint secretary (Admn) may be entrusted with the task of coordinating with security personnel. Suitable contingency plan may also be worked out to carry out the various functions of the Ministry/Department.

   5. In case the employees go on strike, a report indicating the number of employees who took part in the proposed strike may be conveyed to this Department on the evening of the day.

With kind regards,

Yours sincerely,

sd/-
(Manoj Joshi)

Source:http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/Nationwide-General-15022013.pdf

All India Railwaymen's Federation Support to “General Strike” proposed by the Central Trade Unions.

All India Railwaymen's Federation

4, State Entry Road,
New Delhi-110055
INDIA

No.AIRF/376

Dated: February 13th 2013.

The General Secretaries,
All Affiliated Unions,

Dear Corms.,

Sub: Support to “General Strike” proposed by the Central Trade Unions.

   As you are aware that the 88th Annual Conference of All India Railwaymen’s Federation, met at Vishakhapatnam from 18th to 20th December, 2012, had decided to reiterate its all out support to the programme drawn in the National Convention of all the Central Trade Unions, held on 4th September, 2012 at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi(Resolution No.5). It has, therefore, been decided by the All India Railwaymen’s Federation to extend its fullest support to the countrywide two days “General Strike” proposed by the Central Trade Unions on 20th and 21st February, 2013 on the following demands:-

   1. No contractorisation of works of permanent/perennial nature of wages and benefits to the contract workers at the same rate as available to the regular workers of the industry/establishment.

   2. Amendment of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage irrespective of the schedules and fixation of statutory minimum wage at not less than Rs.10,000 linked with Cost Price Index.

   3. Remove all ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus, Provident Fund; Increase the quantum of gratuity.

   4. Assured pension for all.

   5. Compulsory registration of the Trade Unions within a period of 45 days and immediate ratification of the ILO Conventions Nos.87 and 98.

   You are, therefore, advised to conduct gate meetings, demonstrations, dharnas, protest rallies etc. at all the important places to ensure our solidarity to CTUs’ call of two days’ “General Strike”.

   In this connection, we are also enclosing herewith a copy of the appeal made by all the Central Trade Unions.

Comradely yours,

sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary
AIRF.

Source:http://www.airfindia.com/AIRF%202013/Support%20to%20General%20Strike_14.02.2012.pdf