The Hindu : RSP(B) strikes dual posture

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 08, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

RSP(B) strikes dual posture

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM JULY 7. The RSP (B) today struck dual postures on the labour policy with its acting-secretary, A.V. Thamarakshan, and the Labour Minister, Babu Divakaran, airing differing views at a function in Thiruvananthapuram.

While Mr. Thamarakshan was strident in stating that the RSP(B) would not hesitate to relinquish power if it was unable to protect the interests of the proletariat, the Minister took the view that it was impossible in these times for the Government to move forward by accommodating the interests of the labour class alone. The opposing views of these leaders surfaced during a meeting of the United Trade Union Congress(B) district conference.

Mr. Thamarakshan accused managements of reducing labourers to milch cows. Referring to what he said was a propaganda that labourers were responsible for the decline of the industrial sector, the RSP(B) leader said that none of the closures of industrial units could be attributed to labour strife.

According to Mr. Thamarakshan, it was the bureaucracy that stood in the way of the development of the State. He said that the Government had failed to rein in sections of the bureaucracy that was opposed to development. He felt that the Government should identify the real stumbling blocks to development programmes and policies. The RSP(B) could not be party to any move that would be detrimental to the fundamental rights of the labour class and would sacrifice power if it failed to protect these rights.

Mr. Divakaran targeted the global monopolists for creating an insecure environment for the labour class. According to him, the labour class were the worst sufferers of the globalisation and liberalisation measures. Noting that the status of the public sector undertakings had declined, there should be a critical examination of the failure to forge unity among the labour class in opposing these measures among the labour class components, he said.

According to the Minister, though there existed laws and mechanisms to protect labour rights, opportunities for exercising the right to work was rapidly diminishing. Managements these days were ready to close down units in the wake of a strike. In fact, several managements were waiting for a strike notice to clamp a shutdown.

However, given the circumstances prevailing in the State, it was not possible to move ahead solely by accommodating the interests of the labour class, the Minister added.

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