New
Delhi: Normal life was disrupted in Kerala on Tuesday due to the
country-wide strike called by central trade unions to protest the 'anti-labour'
policies of the UPA government.
The roads of capital Thiruvanthapuram wore a deserted look. Buses and
autos are not plying. The Oommen Chandy government has issued notice to
government employees and threatened to deduct salary for those who abstain from
work. The government has also warned that ad-hoc and temporary employees will
lose their contract .
Buses kept off the roads and shops were closed in the state. The strike
also affected functioning of banks and offices as pro-Left unions in the state
sector also joined the protest against the "neo-liberal economic and
labour policies" pursued by the UPA Government at the Centre.
The Congress-led UDF Government in the state has enforced 'dies non' (no
work-no pay) order against the strike in government offices.
Early reports from across the state said in most places the mobility of
people was hit as the impact of the strike was near total in the transport
sector with buses, taxis and autorickshaws keeping off the road.
The rail traffic, however, was not affected and no blockade was reported
from anywhere in the early hours. There was no disruption in electricity or
water supply and the health sector exempted from the strike.
Labour leaders have claimed that the strike is going to be a historic
event and a stern warning against "anti-labour policies" of the UPA
Government.
The key demands of the unions include guarantee of labour rights, end to
the contract labour system, bringing workers in the unorganized sector under
the social security net and pension benefit for all workers.
Besides the Left unions like CITU and AITUC and HMS, the pro-Congress
INTUC and pro-BJP BMS are also supporting the strike.
(With
additional inputs from PTI)
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