One day nationwide strike call had mixed response in Himachal Pradesh as thousands of workers affiliated to Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), participated in the strike throughout the state on Wednesday.
The call for the strike was given by the joint platform of central trade unions, national federations and United Kisan Morcha to highlight various demands.
President of CITU Vijendra Mehra and General Secretary Prem Gautam said, “ The strike was successful in the state as it got massive response from the workers ; all anganwadi centers remained closed as workers joined the strike, construction in several power hydropower projects i.e. Luhri, Sainj, Dholasidh and power generation in the 1500 MW SJVN project ( Nathpa – Jhakri ) was also affected .”
“The normal work in Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla was also upset as health workers joined the strike, operation theater did not operate, all hotels and restaurants remained closed as workers absented from duties in and around Shimla, mid day meals was not served in many government schools, besides sale of fruits and vegetables was also affected at many places as street vendors also observed the strike,” they claimed.
“Rallies and demonstrations were held in all district headquarters and workers marched through bazaars shouting slogans carrying placards and banners , which included Shimla, Mandi , Hamirpur, Chamba , Kullu , Rampur etc”, CITU leaders said .
The joint forum had given the strike call to oppose the alleged “anti -labour policies of the Modi government , implementation of four labour codes, fixing minimum wage of workers as Rs 26000 pm , regular employment in place of outsourcing, contract system, multi-task, temporary, casual, trainee schemes , increase in MNREGA budget and increase in wages , ensure economic benefits of the Labor Welfare Board, debt relief for farmers, minimum support price by implementing Swaminathan Commission recommendations, ban on farmer suicides, eviction of people from lands and homes, proper compensation to four-lane affected people and eighty percent employment etc” .
The strike was supported by Himachal Kisan Sabha, Janwadi Mahila Samiti, SFI, DYFI, AILU, Pensioner Association, Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch, and Jan Vigyan Andolan etc.
The demonstration in Shimla was addressed by CITU State President Vijendra Mehra, Himachal Kisan Sabha President Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, Bank Confederation Convenor Narendra Thakur, HPMRA leader Hukam Sharma, Satyawan Punidr and other leaders at other places .
