CITU calls for strike in unorganised sector today

The Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has called for a nation-wide strike today in the unorganised sector, demanding better wages and working conditions for workers.

New Delhi, Aug 8 : The Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has called for a nation-wide strike today in the unorganised sector, demanding better wages and working conditions for workers.

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 strike is likely to have an impact in the three Left-ruled states - West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura.

The West Bengal Government has taken all necessary steps to maintain normalcy in view of the proposed strike and has warned trade unions not to use the force.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal unit of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) has opposed the strike and termed it as politically motivated.

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

The strike is likely to be supported by workers in the organised sector by holding "protest" meetings.

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 nothing 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 here 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