Nation wide strike on November 26,10 Trade Unions will participate

Ten central trade unions will on 26th November 2020 observe a nationwide general strike in protest against the Centre’s policies, such as privatisation of public sector units and new labour and farm laws. They have also decided to back a two-day farmers’ agitation on November 26 and November 27. As per central trade unions, about 25 crore workers are expected to participate in the ‘Bharat Bandh’.

The All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) on Tuesday announced the decision to join the 26th November 2020 strike. “The Lok Sabha in its recently held session has passed three new labour enactments by dismantling existing 27 enactments in the name of ‘Ease of Business’, which are purely in the interest of corporates.

In the process, 75 per cent of workers are being pushed out of the orbits of labour laws since they will have no legal protection under the new enactment,” the AIBEA said in a release.

A statement was issued by a joint forum comprising ten central trade unions — Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Co-ordination Centre (TUCC), Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC). The platform also consists of independent federations and associations.

“Preparations are in full swing for 26th November all-India strike. We expect more than 25 crore workers to take part in the strike this time,” the joint forum said.

Meanwhile, BJP aligned Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has clarified that it will not participate in this strike.

The Independent Sectoral Federations and Associations in the central and state government employees and in the public sector enterprises have served the strike notice in most of the places, similarly the industrial units in the private sector, big and small, also have submitted notices to this effect in most part of the country, the joint statement said.