Date:19/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/19/stories/2008081954580500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Trade unions to go on strike tomorrow

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Joint Committee of Trade Unions will observe a strike on Wednesday in protest against the new economic policies.

Addressing presspersons here on Monday, the State Convenor of the Centre of Trade Unions (CITU) S. Varalakshmi said the new economic policies have increased inflation. Globalisation and privatisation had pushed the working class to their limits. The Union Government should check the inflation through universalising the public distribution system in the country and reduce tax on petrol and diesel.

The State unit president of the Trade Union Co-Organisation Committee G.R. Shivashankar said the Centre should implement labour laws particularly in respect of minimum wages, working hours and social security and safety measures in the unorganised sector. The Hindustan Mazdoor Sabha, AITUC and Associations of Central Government employees and State Government employees, insurance companies and All India Postal Employees’ Union will support the strike.