AMN /
Nation-wide strike called by 10 trade unions have affected normal life in different part of the country. The strike hit transport and banking operations across the country.
Banking, Rail and Road transport services were partially hit across the country. The staff of SBI, IOB, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank stayed away from the strike.
In the national capital, metro and DTC buses plied normally. Autos and Taxis remained off the road causing inconvenience to the commuters. Clearing services in Banks were affected.
There were also instances of ATMs machine running out of cash adding more woes to customers in Delhi. Labour unions have claimed that the strike was successful. They said, around 15 crore formal sector workers were on strike in support of their 12-point charter of demands.
Normal working at banks was affected as 23 public sector banks, 12 private sector banks, 52 regional rural banks and over 13,000 cooperative banks have joined the stir except State Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank did not join the strike. All India Bank Employees Association General Secretary C H Venkatachalam said, over half of the 10 lakh banking sector workers have gone on strike.
More than 15 crore workers from 10 central trade unions, including those in the banking, manufacturing, construction and coal mining sectors, are taking part in the strike. BJP-backed BMS and NFITU are not part of the agitation.
Trade Unions gave call for strike after two round of talks between trade unions and the government failed last month over a 12-points Charter of Demands. The demands include withdrawal of proposed what they call anti-worker amendments in labour laws and stopping the disinvestments and privatisation of PSUs.
Kerala government has issued no work no pay order against striking employees. District Collectors and Department Heads have been directed to provide necessary protection to employees, who are not participating in the strike. Recruitment tests by Kerala Public Service Commission and university examinations scheduled for today in the state have been postponed.
In Shimla most of the Buses run by Himachal Road Transport Corporation are off the roads since midnight.
West Bengal government has decided to keep all its offices open today. Train services in Howrah and Sialdah divisions of Eastern and South East Railway have been disrupted due to blockade of Rail tracks by bandh supporters. State government has also decided not to grant leave to any employee today and invoke no pay no work.
Meanwhile, Labour and Employment Minister Bandaru Dattatreya has appealed to the trade unions to reconsider their call to strike in the interest of workers and the nation.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi Tuesday evening, Mr Dattatreya said, most of the demands which have been raised by the trade unions are agreeable by the government while demands on FDI in Railway, Disinvestment of PSUs and Contract Workers are still under consideration.