CITU called strike affects normal life in Siliguri

A nation-wide strike called by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) demanding better wages and working conditions for workers, affected normal life here today.

Siliguri (West Bengal), Aug 8 : A nation-wide strike called by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) demanding better wages and working conditions for workers, affected normal life here today.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) backed labour union, CITU has demanded a comprehensive central legislation for social and job security for workers in the unorganised sectors.

The impact of the strike was felt in the Left-ruled West Bengal. Shops and businesses were closed in Siliguri.

In Kolkata, vehicles, including rickshaws, taxis, trucks and minibuses, stayed off the roads in response to the shutdown call.

CITU State Unit Secretary Kali Ghosh said: "We have a 15-point demand. Most important is payment of minimum wages, some social security measures for old age benefits, education, and illness."

Police said the shutdown has been peaceful.

"We have deployed around 400 personnel both in uniform and civil dress. As of now there is no report of any untoward incident," said R.K. Yadav, Additional Superintendent of Police, Siliguri.

In Kerala, the Mahatma Gandhi University has postponed all examinations scheduled for Wednesday.

CITU President M K Pandhe has said that the proposed legislation for unorganised workers, in its present form, was unacceptable.

According to Pandhe, the Bill reportedly cleared by the Cabinet "has othing to guarantee the unorganised sector workers of either improved working conditions or any social security benefits."

The sponsoring committee of the central trade unions is scheduled to meet in Delhi on August 19 to finalise the nationwide action plan against the proposed Bill.

The CITU, along with other trade unions, has been demanding two separate and comprehensive bills for agricultural workers and the unorganised sector workers.

ANI