The Hindu : Anti-worker policies flayed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 27, 2003

National

National

Anti-worker policies flayed

By Our Staff Correspondent

Members of various trade unions staging a march to Parliament to protest the Government's policies, in New Delhi on Wednesday. — Photo: Anu Pushkarna

NEW DELHI FEB. 26. The Left-backed trade unionists today took out a massive rally to protest against the Centre's `anti-people, anti-worker and anti-national policies', even as the Bharatiya Janata Party's Swadeshi Jagran Manch activists staged a protest against the privatisation of the two petroleum companies by the Government.

Under the banner of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), thousands of workers from across the country, braved the heat to register their protest against the new economic policies of liberalisation, globalisation and privatisation.

The rallyists said that contrary to the Government's claim the growth rate was down, with per capita income and agricultural growth showing a decline. The economy was reeling under a severe recession due to the loss of purchasing power of the people, job cuts and decline in job opportunities, they said.

Addressing the processionists, general secretary of the AITUC, Gurudas Das Gupta said that while the Government had the time and inclination to hold talks with sadhus and saints, it showed no interest in listening to the genuine demands of the workers. He alleged that the religious heads were interfering in the political affairs which was not a healthy sign for the country.

``If the Government does not change its policy, we will work for changing the Government,'' he said.

Among others who addressed the rally were the Centre of Indian Trade Unions general secretary, M.K. Pandhe, who accused the Government of ushering in a `hire and fire' regime in the industrial sector.

Activists of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch burnt the effigy of the Union Disinvestment Minister, Arun Shourie, to oppose the handing over of the public sector undertakings established with the help of savings of the people for the benefit of a handful of Indian and foreign corporates in the name of disinvestment.

Demanding the closure of the Disinvestment Ministry as it had failed to deliver the goods, the Manch said otherwise it would be constrained to participate with the people who were resisting privatisation, said its convenor, Ashwani Mahajan. Reacting to the protest by the Manch, Mr. Dasgupta said the AITUC would welcome anyone, irrespective of political affiliations, who sought to oppose the Government ideology.

He appealed to the BJP-backed Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh to join the movement.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National