Opinion - Letters to the Editor

After the strike

Sir, — Banks and public sector employees heeded the call given by the All-India Trade Unions for a one-day strike on April 16 against the privatisation programme of the Government. What was the result? The Government has not moved an inch from its stand.

The economic reforms initiated by the Congress Government in 1992 were adhered to by all the successive Governments, including the communists who opposed the reforms while in the Opposition. Did the trade unions play any constructive role when the State and Central public sector units were being privatised? Could they prevent the disinvestment of profitable PSUs? About 50 to 60 CPSUs became sick due to the wrong policies of the Government and mal-administration. During election campaigns, all leaders, including Mr. Vajpayee, said that employees were not responsible for the sickness of the industry. Then why have they denied the wage revisions falling due in 1987, 1992 and 1997?

Salaries are paid sporadically in sick CPSUs. Spouses of workers are resorting to menial services for livelihood. The Government is inimical to the interests of workers. Its much-publicised voluntary retirement scheme is yet to see the light of the day.

N.S.R. Murthy,
Karimnagar, A.P.

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