BRAVING the heavy rains in the city on Wednesday morning, massive demonstrations led by several prominent national trade unions severely impacted routine work in banks, coal mines, post offices, insurance and power sectors. Public transport system was also affected to some extent in certain parts of the city. Thousands of people took to the streets in the nation-wide general strike, called by a forum of 10 Central Trade Unions to protest against privatisation and other policies of Central Government. Eastern Maharashtra Bank Employees Association (EMBEA) held demonstration, in front of Bank of India, Kingsway. More than 500 employees took part with enthusiasm demonstrating their unity.

 

The demonstration was led by Jaiwant Gurway, Chairman, EMBEA; Chendil Iyer and Arvind Gadikar. The union members raised slogans opposing privatisation of nationalised banks and anti-workers policies of Central Government. Jaiwant Gurway, said, “The Bharat Bandh strike was successful and banking transactions of Rs 2,400 crore were affected on Wednesday. He elaborated that in Vidarbha, more than 15,000 bank employees and officers also actively participated in the strike which disrupted routine work and services. Work all the branches came to a standstill. In city, majority of the public sector banks wore a deserted look as there was absence of clerical staff which affected all types of financial services. The workers of Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of India, UCO Bank, Union Bank, Canara Bank, Indian Bank, PNB, Punjab & Sindh Bank, Bank of Baroda and IDBI Bank took active participation in the demonstrations.

 

Suresh Bobhate, General Secretary, EMBEA, stated that the present economic policies of the Government has resulted in accumulation of huge wealth in the hands of the big corporates and industrialists in the country. At the same time, there is deprivation and marginalisation of the poor pushing more and more common people below the poverty line. Swayamprakash Tiwari, President, EMBEA, raised concerns over huge unemployment and fewer jobs opportunities for the educated youth.

 

The Superintendents and Inspectors Association of Goods and Services Tax (GST) held a lunch-hour dharna at GST Bhavan, Civil Lines, in solidarity with the Confederation’s Charter of Demands, which includes urgent formation of the 8th Central Pay Commission, scrapping of NPS/UPS and restoration of OPS, release of DA/DR arrears frozen during the pandemic, reduction of the pension commutation restoration period to 12 years, removal of the 5 per cent cap on compassionate appointments, filling-up of all vacant posts, ending outsourcing and corporatisation, restoring democratic functioning and recognition of service associations, and regularisation of casual and contractual workers including GDS, while ensuring parity for employees of autonomous bodies with Central Government staff. Public Sector General Insurance employees gathered in front of the Regional Office of United India Insurance Company at Shankar Nagar Chowk and staged demonstrations holding ply cards of their demands. The employees shouted slogans opposing 100 per cent foreign investment in the insurance sector, privatisation of general insurance companies, attempts to forcefully implement the labor code and outsourcing. 

 

 

COAL workers at Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) Regional Institute 4, Jaripatka affiliated to the Coyla Mazdoor Union (AITUC), observed a successful strike. The strike was called by 10 central unions and registered unions in the coal industry, protesting against new labour laws, the proposed IPO of CMPDI, contractualisation within CMPDI, and policies aimed at separating CMPDI from Coal India. The strike action took place at both the headquarters and the camp. Ram Lal Ghasil, President of Coyla Mazdoor Union (AITUC), Nagpur, and Jagjeet Singh, Secretary, stated that the strike achieved 100 per cent success.