Tens of millions of Indian workers strike in fight for higher wages

[simple Brain]

Tens of millions of Indian workers strike in fight for higher wages


State banks and power stations shut and public transport halted in some states as public sector workers take industrial action



Activists of the Communist party of India (Marxist) shout slogans in Kolkata, India, during the nationwide strike. Photograph: Bikas Das/AP
Michael Safi in Delhi

Save for later
A nationwide strike by tens of millions of Indian public sector workers has been hailed by union officials as “the world’s largest ever” industrial action, and cost the economy up to 180bn rupees (£2bn), according to an industry group.

Last-minute concessions by the finance and labour ministries, including a 104-rupee rise in unskilled workers’ daily minimum wage, could not ward off the strike against what unions said were the “anti-worker and anti-people” policies ofNarendra Modi’s government.

State banks and power stations were shut and public transport was halted in some states on Friday, and 20 protesters were arrested in West Bengal after allegedly damaging government buses, police official Anuj Sharma told the AFP news agency.


Schools and colleges in Bangalore were closed as a precautionary measure, and 4,200 buses sat idle in Haryana. Mumbai and Delhi avoided major disruptions but surgeries were delayed at a major hospital in the capital while nurses demonstrated outside. Images broadcast on Indian TV showed protesters blocking railway tracks and roads in Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.

Among the trade unions’ 12 demands were a 692-rupee daily minimum wage, universal social security and a ban on foreign investment in the country’s railway, insurance and defence industries.

A nationwide bandh – Sanskrit for closed – on the same day last year reportedly involved 140 million workers, and union said Friday’s protests involved 150 million, a figure that could not be verified. Nor could the claim by Assocham, the peak group for Indian chambers of commerce, that the disruption to supply chains and businesses cost the country’s economy 180bn rupees.

Just one major union pulled out of the national strike: the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, which, like the ruling party, is an affiliate of the Hindu nationalist group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.


FacebookTwitterPinterest
A deserted railway station in Dharmanagar, India, during the strike on Friday. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Modi won power in 2014 promising to replicate across India the double-digit economic growth he oversaw as Gujarat’s chief minister. He steered a landmark national goods and services tax through India’s parliament last month and has opened up sectors such as defence and aviation for foreign investment.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/02/indian-workers-strike-in-fight-for-higher-wages

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

marxists and their unions live on earth to strike rather than do work....worldwide marxist cancer phenomenon that's all they do

 

[Abba_Dabba_Jabba]

Observed only in Leftist states like Kerala & West Bengal. Rest of India believes in working and earning rather than wasting valuable time in strikes.

 

[Echo_419]

marxists and their unions live on earth to strike rather than do work....worldwide marxist cancer phenomenon that's all they do

This scum must be rooted out ASAP

 

[Indika]

marxists and their unions live on earth to strike rather than do work....worldwide marxist cancer phenomenon that's all they do

they are nutcases but sometimes theres merit in their argument.

Observed only in Leftist states like Kerala & West Bengal. Rest of India believes in working and earning rather than wasting valuable time in strikes.

This scum must be rooted out ASAP

Instead of making blind sweeping stmts, you need to look at what they are asking for. Its immaterial who raises the issue whether it is marxists or liberals. For example a universal social security is a welcome thing for the poor section of the country.

 

[Jlaw]

Among the trade unions’ 12 demands were a 692-rupee daily minimum wage, universal social security and a ban on foreign investment in the country’s railway, insurance and defence industries.

This is going to be bad . 692 rupee is like $13 CAD. Very few companies will pay mininum wage like that. That's like $260 CAD/month (counting only 20 week days), $3120 CAD/year! The average GDP/capita is only $1700 USD or $2210/CAD year. That is way above average Indian GDP/capita. Who's going to pay this to low skilled workers when Indian MBA make only $149 CAD/month?

Seem like everything coming out of India these days on economics seem to be a recipe for disaster on a scale never witness in history.

 

[Echo_419]

This is going to be bad . 692 rupee is like $13 CAD. Very few companies will pay mininum wage like that. That's like $260 CAD/month (counting only 20 week days), $3120 CAD/year! The average GDP/capita is only $1700 USD or $2210/CAD year. That is way above average Indian GDP/capita. Who's going to pay this to low skilled workers when Indian MBA make only $149 CAD/month?

Seem like everything coming out of India these days on economics seem to be a recipe for disaster on a scale never witness in history.

You seems to have a very high IQ

 

[kmc_chacko]

Demands of Trade Unions and my views

1. Urgent measures for containing price-rise through universalisation of public distribution system and banning speculative trade in commodity market
its non of their business as its Govt job to do that increase is wage will inturn will cause more price raise

2. Containing unemployment through concrete measures for employment generation
Just meger talking won't do anything cooperation with business entity will on do that

3. Strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive measures for violation of labour laws.
Acceptable

4. Universal social security cover for all workers
Acceptable

5. Minimum wages of not less than Rs 15,000/- per month with provisions of indexation
Not Acceptable, it will increase inflation and price hike in essential commodities and private companies won't accept as it will hurt their competitivenss as presently pay is between 5000-6000 and Govt willing to increase it to 9500 and hike of 70% is more than enough for current year.

6. Assured enhanced pension not less than Rs.3,000/- p.m. for the entire working population
From where the Govt will bring funds ? These unions blocked Govt proposal for investment of EPF & Pension funds to equity market.

7. Stoppage of disinvestment in Central/State PSUs
clearly, Its non of their business and its Govt policy decisions

8. Stoppage of contractorisation in permanent perennial work and payment of same wage and benefits for contract workers as regular workers for same and similar work
Acceptable

9. Removal of all ceilings on payment and eligibility of bonus, provident fund; increase the quantum of gratuity.
Acceptable

10. Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days from the date of submitting application; and immediate ratification of ILO Conventions C 87 and C 98
Acceptable (still we are fed up with this trade unions)

11. Stoppage of Pro Employer Labour Law Amendments
strangely i feel present labour laws are more favourable to employee than employer

12. Stoppage of FDI in Railways, Insurance and Defence
clearly, Its non of their business and its Govt policy decisions (i know some companies which struggling due to these trade union policies and other than FDI from where does Govt bring money to invest in a sick units.

13. In addition to these the central trade unions are also demanding the withdrawal of the Land Acquisition amendment bill/ordinance.
clearly, Its non of their business and its Govt policy decisions

 

[Kashmiri Pandit]

I was hoping for a holiday but no impact of strike here

 

[Abba_Dabba_Jabba]

Instead of making blind sweeping stmts, you need to look at what they are asking for. Its immaterial who raises the issue whether it is marxists or liberals. For example a universal social security is a welcome thing for the poor section of the country.

This was no blind stmnt, I read today's news article and it was reported that the strike was only seen in Kerala and WB, Gujarat, Maha & TN had no such effect of strike. Plus their demand is too ambitious and politically motivated. May be the NDA government didn't raised the min wage to a greater extent but strike was not the answer for this, plus country is in no position to provide universal social security at the moment, it will take time.

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

I honestly feel that Officers cadre/clerks already have good pay. Its the Rail Drivers, Bus Drivers and other hard jobs who are meted out less pay. An TN state transport worker drives like 12 hours a day, earning like 20-25k INR per month. I feel that's less. Hard jobs really needs more pay.

 

[Indika]

This was no blind stmnt, I read today's news article and it was reported that the strike was only seen in Kerala and WB, Gujarat, Maha & TN had no such effect of strike. Plus their demand is too ambitious and politically motivated. May be the NDA government didn't raised the min wage to a greater extent but strike was not the answer for this, plus country is in no position to provide universal social security at the moment, it will take time.

They have the right to protest and not every daily wager can afford to protest. gujarat,TN & maharashrata have higher share of contribution to gdp as such more workers. India spends more on defence purchases than on social security cover, govt needs to look into it. I know its not going to happen immediately but govt needs to be reminded of the their grievances. If not they will just end up resorting to joining violent groups like maoists .

 

[oprih]

This is scary, those workers are willing to fight for their rights, civil war is coming.

 

[Jlaw]

You seems to have a very high IQ

obviously. you can't rebuttal facts.

 

[艹艹艹]

India to grant residency to rich foreigners
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-37231211

India says it will grant residency to foreigners who make a substantial economic contribution to the country.

It is part of the government's plan to attract more overseas investment.

Investors must put $1.5m (£1.1m) into the nation's economy over 18 months or $3.75m over three years. They must also create jobs for at least 20 Indians each financial year.

In return, they will get a 10-year visa, residency for their spouse and children, and be able to buy a home.

Foreigners must currently re-register every year - creating a slew of paperwork - and usually need a sponsor.

The scheme will reportedly not be available to Chinese and Pakistani citizens.

India is ranked 130th in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index.

It is the fastest growing major economy in the world, but its young population means it needs to create about 10 million jobs a year to prevent unemployment increasing.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an overhaul of foreign ownership rules in another move to attract overseas investment.

Airlines and some defence industries can now be 100% foreign owned. and for overseas retailers, rules were relaxed that required 30% of what they sold to be Indian-sourced.
Why are they on strike?