Trade union strike hits normal life in Kerala, Tamil Nadu; Bank operations partially hit

Kochi/New Delhi: The 24-hour nationwide strike called by various trade unions in protest against the central government's labour policies paralysed normal life in Kerala and Tamil Nadu on Thursday.

The day-long strike has been called for by a joint platform of ten central trade unions, including Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Co-ordination Centre (TUCC) and Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA).

Others are All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC). Various independent federations and associations are also part of the joint platform.

BJP-aligned Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) is not participating in the strike.

They are protesting against the new farm and labour laws, among other workers-related issues, as well as to raise various demands.

Nearly complete shutdown in Kerala

As the left government in Kerala also supported the strike, almost all the government offices remained closed and vehicles were off the road. Most of the shops and other business establishments remained shut.

Earlier, many industry and trade bodies and tour organisations had requested the trade unions to avoid forced shutdown. Many shop owners and others had openly expressed their resentment saying work disruption and closure was uncalled for the wake of the dire economic condition brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Private buses, auto rickshaws and taxis kept off from the road while private vehicles could be seen plying everywhere cutting across villages and cites. As Sabarimala pilgrims were exempted from the strike, KSRTC buses, operated in the hill temple route, ferried devotees as usual.

Except for stray incidents of stone-throwing the strike remained peaceful in the state till 10 am.

In some districts, tiny shop owners could be seen complaining that the closure of business would make their life further worsen in the wake of the dull economic situation after the coronavirus outbreak.

Other parts of the country

"The strike has begun. Kerala and Tamil Nadu are completely shut down. Similar situation is also developing in Odisha, Punjab, Haryana, Telangana and Goa. There is also a good response to the strike in Maharashtra," AITUC General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur told PTI.

Kaur informed that that the services at banks, LIC (Life Insurance Corporation), GIC (General Insurance Corporation) and the Income Tax Department are also likely to be hit severely.

"Visakhapatnam steel plant is affected due to the strike. Besides, majority of workers in coal mines are also on strike. The work at copper plants, port and dock area are also affected. Delhi industrial areas are closed down. Workers would protest at Jantar Mantar," Kaur said.

The united front of farmer organisations - AIKSCC - has also extended its support to the general strike and are mobilising their members in rural areas to express solidarity with the striking workers.

Scheme workers, domestic workers, construction workers, beedi workers, hawkers, vendors, agricultural workers, self-employed in rural and urban areas have also decided to come on to the streets for 'chakka jam'.

In many states, auto and taxi drivers have decided to keep off the roads. The federations of railway and defence employees have decided to have large mobilisation on Thursday to express solidarity with the striking workers.

The demands of the joint platform include cash transfer of Rs 7,500 per month tor all non-income tax paying families and 10 kilograms of free ration to every needy person per month.

The unions have also demanded expansion of MGNREGA, the rural employment guarantee scheme, to provide 200 days' work in a year in rural areas at enhanced wages and also extension of the employment guarantee to urban areas.

They have also asked the government to withdraw all "anti-farmer laws and anti-worker labour codes and stop privatisation of public sector, including the financial sector and stop corporatisation of government-run manufacturing and service entities like railways, ordinance factories, ports etc".

Among other demands, the unions have sought withdrawal of the "draconian circular on forced premature retirement of government and PSU employees".

Other demands of the unions include 'pension to all', scrapping NPS (National Pension System) and restoration of earlier pension with improvement in EPS-95 (Employees' Pension Scheme-1995 run by retirement fund body EPFO).

Operations at banks partially hit

Banking operations in public sector banks across the country were partially affected on Thursday as some bank unions joined the one-day nationwide strike called by central trade unions.

Cash transaction including deposits and withdrawal at branches, forex and government transactions have been impacted in many public sector banks where participating unions are strong.

However, State Bank of India and private sector banks are functional.

Many lenders including Bank of Maharashtra had informed customers in advance that normal working could be affected at the branches and offices due to the strike.

The All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA) and Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) are participating in the strike.

Besides, All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC) has extended fraternal support to strike.