Date:26/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/09/26/stories/2005092601521300.htm

Back Insurance staff to join stir against privatisation

Our Bureau

Visakhapatnam , Sept. 25

THE All-India Insurance Employees' Association has given a call to its members to join the nationwide strike on September 29 against disinvestment and privatisation. The Left unions have given the call for the strike.

At a press conference here on Sunday, Mr Amanulla Khan, the joint secretary of the All-India Insurance Employees' Association, said the LIC and other public sector insurance had registered massive growth in recent years and the number of LIC policies during the past five years had more than doubled. There was acute shortage of staff and there was no further recruitment.

``The policies of the Government are geared to encourage the private insurance companies. We are totally opposed to the FDI hike in insurance sector. It will give the MNCs a change to gain control over domestic savings. To register our protest, we are joining the strike,'' he said.

He said the association was also demanding the restoration of the right for collective bargaining, "arbitrarily taken away through an act of Parliament in 1981.'' He said the associationwas denied recognition.