Trade Union Strike decession on 22/05/2013

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) & (b): 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 & Employment 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. In spite 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.