Modi factor unites trade unions

Union government is in for a major jolt as 10 major trade unions, owing allegiance to various political parties and ideologies, will rally workers across the country on September 2 to protest against BJP government’s ‘anti-labour’ policies

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unwittingly knitting the entire Opposition together as never before with his "politics of obstinacy and non-accommodation.” This time, the Modi-led NDA government is in for another big jolt as the Central Trade Unions enforce a bandh on September 2 to protest against the key labour reforms, opening up of FDI in key sectors, etc.

A successful bandh being undertaken against Modi's "bulldozing politics" would bring together the trade unions owing allegiance to various political parties and ideologies like never before and trouble for the Government would only mount further in its 'Make in India’ campaign. The effect could be far more in a joint campaign of the political parties and the trade unions in future. The real testing times for the Modi government seem to have begun.

After all, Indian trade unionism and its activity has suffered a severe blow in the recent years as a result of the reforms and the changed political scenario. The Left losing the power in West Bengal, too, added to the confusion and protests and rallies lost their sheen with privatisation taking firm roots in the country.

However, due to various reasons and amid realignment of political forces in the country, there is a feeling among the Left and Left of Centre forces that unless a drastic revival of the trade unionism takes place, all could be lost because of the Narendra Modi government’s policies.

Of course, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, an RSS wing, has pulled out of the same after talks with the Union government three days ago, but, still, 10 trade unions have decided to go ahead with the bandh programme. Along with these, the members of the banking, insurance, defence, railways and others also are set to join the ranks on the day.

In all, about 40 crore strong workforce would be striking work on September 2 drawling clear battle lines. The retired Defence veterans have already declared that pending a satisfactory resolution of their demands, they would even go to Bihar and campaign against the Modi government.

The decision to strike work has brought together 10 central trade unions including the Indian National Trade Union Congress, All India Trade Union Congress, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, All India United Trade Union Centre, All India Central Council of Trade Unions, Trade Union Coordination Committee, United Trade Union Congress, Self-Employed Women's Association of India and Labour Progressive Federation.

Trade unions have been resisting several changes made to the existing labour laws besides attempts to introduce new laws, saying that the government is rushing through bills such as the Industrial Relations Code, Small Factories and Employees' Provident Fund in the name of ease of doing business and boosting 'Make in India' programme.

The crucial 10-point agenda of the trade unions includes demands such as government steps to deal with issues like price rise, unemployment, universal social security cover for workers and disinvestment of public sector undertakings.

The Prime Minister's Office had constituted an inter-ministerial committee comprising Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Power Minister Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (Labour) B Dattatreya and Minister of State (PMO) Jitendra Singh to talk to the trade unionists, but to no avail.