Trade unions seek revival of sick units

TALCHER: In response to the call by central trade unions, hundreds of activists belonging to three major coal trade unions took out a motorcycle rally at Talcher coalfield today seeking fulfillment of their five-point charter of demands.

The trade unions, which participated in the rally, are Indian Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Hind Majdoor Sabha (HMS) and Bharatiya Majdoor Sangh (BMS).

The trade union leaders submitted a memorandum listing the demands to all the general managers and chief general managers of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited operating here.

They have demanded that the disinvestment of central public sector enterprises should not be made for meeting budgetary deficits.

It should be for expansion and modernisation of Industries.

The funds should be utilised for revival of sick public sector units, they sought. The second demand relates to price rise.

The trade unions have demanded that the prices of essential commodities be controlled through universal public distribution system. They have also sought strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception and exemption all over the country. Regarding unorganised sector workers, the memorandum demanded steps for removal of all restrictive provisions in respect to eligibility.

They have also sought creation of a national fund and social security for unorganised sector workers.

Among others, A Srinibash Rao and Souvagya Pradhan and Shankar Behera addressed the rally.