New Delhi, Nov 26 (Prensa Latina) Nearly 250 million Indian workers, from the construction, banking, manufacture, and service sectors, are starting today a general strike against governmental policies and for the compliance of several demands.
The protest was convened by the main unions in coordination with over 300 farmer organizations to put pressure on the government for the repeal of four labor codes, which, according to unions, deprive workers from basic rights and benefits such as the eight-hour working day, said News Click website.
Some 200,000 farmers across India are traveling to this capital to join the strike, said the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC).
Farmers from Punjab state started to travel two days ago but they met the police in Haryana interstate border, and several agricultural leaders were arrested.
The police put barricades in different areas and deployed water cannons to disperse protesters going to New Delhi.
The unions are demanding a minimum salary equivalent to 280 dollars and a pension of 133, the strengthening of the public distribution system and the end of the disinvestment process in enterprises of the public sector.
In support of farmer organizations, workers are calling for the review of three laws introduced by the government that deprive farmers of guarantees on the minimum supporting price and for dismantling the Agricultural Produce Market Committee, which, according to them, leads to the absortion of agriculture by companies and consortiums.
The union leaders suggest that the strike expresses anger and distress for the constant anti-worker policies and the wrong closure of enterprises that forced migrant workers to return to their villages, leaving many without money or a job.
Anurag Saxena, secretary of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Delhi unit, asserted that many people had to emigrate and, when they returned, they did not receive the salary needed to make a living, including their children's education, besides the uncertainty to get a job.
The labor codes introduced by the Executive are trying to abolish minimum guarantees for the workers after decades of struggle and eliminating provisions such as the creation of labor courts to resolve conflicts on matters such as payment and compensation.
On the other hand, there are no extra time payments, and workers can be forced to work for 12 hours, besides the fact that rules to set up unions have been changed.
sus/aph/jf/abm
Some 200,000 farmers across India are traveling to this capital to join the strike, said the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC).
Farmers from Punjab state started to travel two days ago but they met the police in Haryana interstate border, and several agricultural leaders were arrested.
The police put barricades in different areas and deployed water cannons to disperse protesters going to New Delhi.
The unions are demanding a minimum salary equivalent to 280 dollars and a pension of 133, the strengthening of the public distribution system and the end of the disinvestment process in enterprises of the public sector.
In support of farmer organizations, workers are calling for the review of three laws introduced by the government that deprive farmers of guarantees on the minimum supporting price and for dismantling the Agricultural Produce Market Committee, which, according to them, leads to the absortion of agriculture by companies and consortiums.
The union leaders suggest that the strike expresses anger and distress for the constant anti-worker policies and the wrong closure of enterprises that forced migrant workers to return to their villages, leaving many without money or a job.
Anurag Saxena, secretary of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Delhi unit, asserted that many people had to emigrate and, when they returned, they did not receive the salary needed to make a living, including their children's education, besides the uncertainty to get a job.
The labor codes introduced by the Executive are trying to abolish minimum guarantees for the workers after decades of struggle and eliminating provisions such as the creation of labor courts to resolve conflicts on matters such as payment and compensation.
On the other hand, there are no extra time payments, and workers can be forced to work for 12 hours, besides the fact that rules to set up unions have been changed.
sus/aph/jf/abm
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