Friday’s Bharat Bandh May Cause a Loss of up to Rs 18,000 Crore
Trade unions are demanding social security measures for the welfare of workers.
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Friday’s Bharat Bandh by central trade unions affecting trade, transport, key manufacturing facilities and banking services may cause an estimated loss of Rs 16,000-18,000 crore to the country’s economy, The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) said on Friday.
Normal life in various parts of the country was partly affected by the one-day strike by trade unions with banking, transport and coal mining among the most impacted, while hundreds of workers were detained in Haryana, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
He said the best course for the trade unions should have been to sit across the negotiating table with the government to reach a middle ground.
“The industry is not against fair wages and a decent living standard for the workforce. But the demand for minimum wages should be balanced enough not to lead to a high-cost economy,” Rawat said
Banking services have been affected throughout the country as public sector banks’ employees largely remained off-duty. Private banks, however, continued their operations normally.
Rasta Roko Agitation in Maharashtra
It was business as usual for public transport in Mumbai despite one-day nationwide strike call given by central trade unions, while it evoked a mixed response in rural Maharashtra.
The suburban trains, autorickshaws, taxis and city buses continued to operate normally, without affecting the daily schedule of lakhs of commuters in Mumbai and suburbs.
A CPM state unit leader told PTI that there were instances of ‘rasta roko’ (block roads) at various places in rural Maharashtra.
On its part, the government has asked all ministries to ensure that public utilities and essential services are not affected.
Kerala CM Courts Controversy After Expressing Support to the Strike
Autorickshaws, taxis, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private buses are not plying on roads across Kerala with the workers of various unions taking part in the strike.
All major unions, barring RSS-associated BMS (Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh), have joined the strike, terming as “completely inadequate” the Central government’s assurances to look into their demands and the recent announcements for two-year bonus and hike in minimum wage.
Major roads wore a deserted look in the state capital.
Train passengers had a tough time as they had to walk to their homes after alighting at the railway station here.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has courted controversy after expressing support to the strike on Facebook with BJP hitting out against him.
Offices Shut In Noida
Many offices in Noida remain shut due to the Trade Union Strike. Workers also protested in front of the Noida Authority office.
Passengers Stranded in Haryana
Public transport across Haryana was also affected after the State Roadways employees went on a day-long strike. This left thousands of people stranded.
Private buses as well as auto-rickshaws have also joined the strike at most of the places.
Banking Operations At a Standstill in Telangana
Banking operations came to a standstill in Telangana as over 15,000 employees from various banks participated in the strike.
Although some banks are open but no business is taking place in the Public sector banks.
Govt Hospital Nurses On An Indefinite Strike
Lakhs of nurses in government hospitals across the country are on an indefinite strike starting Friday. Nurses in Delhi’s Safdarjung and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital are protesting and demanding a salary hike.
Bengaluru Schools, Colleges Remain Closed
As the strike hits the normal life in Bengaluru, the schools and colleges in its urban district remain shut as a precautionary measure.
West Bengal Faces Disturbance
On Friday morning, protesters in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district vandalized a bus of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation.
The strike took a violent turn when a major clash broke out between TMC and CPIM workers in Murshidabad, West Bengal.
In Siliguri, its Municipal Corporation Mayor Ashok Bhattacharya was arrested, along with 15 other protesters.
Normal life is out of gear in several states in India, following a nation-wide strike called by trade unions.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday announced an increase in minimum wage from Rs 246 to Rs 350 to appease workers, but it had little effect on them. He had also assured the workers of their bonuses in the last two years.
Also Read: What Friday’s Big Bharat Bandh Is About and How it Affects You
The strike has been called by central trade unions such as the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CUIT) and the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC). Among their primary demands are assurance of social security for workers and a minimum wage of not less than 18,000 per month.
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