Bharat Bandh tomorrow

The two-day Bharat Bandh called by employee unions on 20 and 21 February seems set to go ahead with talks between the government and unions failing.

The strike called by country’s 11 registered trade unions, cutting across party lines, will start from Tuesday midnight to protest against the “anti-people” policies of the UPA Govt that include price rise, poor implementation of labour laws and disinvestment in PSUs/increased FDI in various sectors.

Pensions for everyone along with removal of ceiling on bonus and provident fund are among the demands raised by the unions. Apart from all the 11 trade unions, over 2000 independent unions have also joined the protest.

The strike has been called jointly by the Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh (BMS), All India 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) and other affiliated organisations.

So what does this mean for you?

• No banks.
• No BSNL, MTNL, gas etc.
• Trains to remain operational.
• Auto rickshaws largely to stay on roads.
• State bus services to remain operational.
• Taxis to remain operational in most major cities.
• Hospitals won’t shut doors to patients

“The strike would take its toll on at least 30-40 per cent, or Rs.15,000 crore to Rs.20,000 crore,” Assocham said in a statement.

“The national economy, battling a slowdown, can ill-afford this situation” Assocham president Rajkumar Dhoot said. “In fact, the strike would aggravate the price situation because of disruption in the supply of essential commodities.”