The National Committee of the Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) congratulates the working class of India for coming out in one day strike across the country, thereby issuing notice to the Modi Govt. against any attempts to execute anti worker changes in the labour laws of the country. We call on the working class to prepare to intensify and further broad base the struggle for implementation of labour laws, strengthening of labour law implementation machinery, RS 15,000 minimum wage, for status of Govt. employees to Asha and Anganwadi workers, against privatization of PSUs, against FDI in railways, defense, retail, media and other sectors with subsequent attacks on existing workforce and against the anti worker anti people polices of globalization, privatization and liberalization, against contractualization , against allowing coal deposits being opened for commercial use, for effective functioning of raw jute purchasing bodies and protection to the jute sector, for universal PDS and to curb price rise of essential commodities.

IFTU workers and activists throughout the country led strike actions in various states and in various sectors. In the Coal sector the BCCL observed total strike and there was total strike in Singareni coal mines in Telengana, in both of which IFTU participated. In Punjab big rallies were held in Nawanshahr, Jalandhar, Ropar, Amritsar, Gurdaspur (over 1000 workers) Malout (2000 workers), Muktsar mainly by IFTU and some jointly and in which thousands of workers participated mainly from brick kilns, construction, mid-day meal and asha workers. Massive road blocks were carried out in Ropar, Hoshiarpur and Nawashahr. In Telengana big rallies were taken out in the industrial areas in Hyderabad some jointly and some led by IFTU and rallies of IFTU were conducted in all the major centres in the districts. IFTU participated in huge numbers in the central rally from Sundaraiya Park to Indira Park in Hyderabad. RTC Telengana also struck work and the whole of Telengana observed total strike in both organized and unorganized sectors. In Bihar, construction workers held a dharna at Sasaram , IFTU workers took out several rallies in Muzzafarpur and a mass meeting was held with construction workers, while in Darbhanga, the workers of the closed Ashok Paper Mill sat on dharna. In NTPC Bhagalpur workers wore black badges in support of the strike and IFTU held a gate meeting in the afternoon. In Andhra Pradesh and Bengal, Jute workers under IFTU participated in a big way to make the strike a success. In W. Bengal, gate demonstrations were held in several areas including Uttarpara, Srirampur and Chapdani where thousands of workers participated. This included India Jute, Jayshree Textiles and Anmol Biscuit factory. In Calcutta IFTU took out rallies and hawkers also participated. In Andhra Pradesh, IFTU participated in joint rallies in Elluru, (1000 IFTU workers), Vizainagram, Rajamundry, Vijaywada, Vizagand Anantpuram. In Odisha and in Uttar Pradesh rallies of construction workers were taken out at several centres. In capital Delhi, IFTU rallies of above 1000 workers shut the Mayapuri, Okhla Phases 1 and 2 and almost 90% strike was observed in these private sector industrial areas. IFTU also led a rally and ensured strike in Hyderpur Industrial area. Construction workers demonstrated in support of the strike at Sri Rampur Labour Chowk near Madanpur Khadar. Hospital employees and DSOI workers demonstrated at Jantar Mantar. In Maharashtra, IFTU participated in the joint demonstration at Azad Maidan, Mumbai. In Pune demonstration was organized before the Collectorate.

IFTU National Committee calls on all central trade unions and the working class to see this strike only as a first step to the desperately needed sustained and far more heightened struggle which is necessary to force the Modi Govt. to back down from the attacks he has launched on and the attacks this Govt. has in store for the working class. Let there be no mistake, this Govt. has ridden to power on the shoulders of the corporate and it fully intends to attack the labour laws as also all rights of workers. The BMS chose to walk out of the united strike action of the working class at the last moment to give reprieve to the Modi Govt. Many sectors like railways have remained out of the strike as also essential services in most of the states. Yet the attack by the Modi Govt. is going to encompass all sections of working class. We call on all Central Trade Unions to shed sectarianism against fighting trade union centres and to respond to the situation by placing a common sustained struggle programme before the working class. IFTU, on its part, will carry forward the struggle concretely especially against attacks on labour laws and in struggles for the implementation of labour laws.

Aparna                                                                             Pradeep

President                                                                     General Secretary

National Committee , Indian Federation of Trade Unions

Issued from New Delhi