Ten major
unions had called for the one-day Friday walkout after negotiations
over wages with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley failed, reports said.
Media cited
labor union officials as saying that about 180 million government
employees working in public sector banks, schools, postal services,
hospitals, power plants and mines were taking part in the 24-hour
nationwide industrial action. However, the number of workers on
strike is not verified yet.
Ramen Pandey
of the Indian National Trade Union Congress said the strike would be
"the world's largest ever."
The unions
have presented a charter of 12 demands, which includes a monthly
minimum wage of Rs 18,000 (USD 270) and a pension of Rs 3,000 (USD
45). In addition to a pay hike, union leaders want the government to
cancel plans to shut down state factories not making profit, raise
foreign investment caps in some industries and sell off stakes in
state-run companies.
The Center
of Indian Trade Unions said the strikers wanted "an end to the
all-round attack launched by the government against their lives,
livelihood and dignity." The labor unions accuse the government
of taking side with the huge corporations in a "vile
conspiracy... to privatize the public sector and invite foreign
capital in some parts of industry."
Prime
Minister Narendra Modi's controversial labor reforms and plans to
sell off government stakes to the private sector have been a source
of suspicion among the people. Modi’s rise to power in 2014 was
founded on promises of reviving the country’s economy.
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