Amendments in Trade Union Act by the Modi govt – an outright onslaught on workers’ rights: Amarjeet Kaur

Ludhiana, January 3, 2018: Reacting to the amendment to the Trade Union Act 1926, Amarjeet Kaur, General secretary, AITUC has said the government has malafide intentions to meddle with the laid down procedures for recognition of trade unions at state and central level. Through this amendment they are actually wanting rights of governments in the state and central level to interfere into the independent functioning of the trade unions. It is regressive and would take us to British era position. In a statement here today, she added “We fought during British rule in India to get trade union act 1926 and later on improvements in that. But this government is camouflaging and actually wanting to promote their tout and pocket unions by dismantling the laid down procedures. The clause they are amending deals with enterprise level unions. And trade unions at that level are already using it. Recognition at state and central level is not at all part of the procedure for state and national recognition.” She added to say that they will ensure true representation is actually to promote tout unions. Again to say that it is to check arbitrary nominations is actually to deny the representations to unions who question governments' policies. Talking of reduction of litigation and industrial unrest is to actually stifle the collective bargaining. The government decision is against the stated positions of Indian Constitution and the BJP led NDA government true to its colors is out to destroy democratic institutions and above all constitution of India. Ten Central Trade Unions are going on nationwide strike on 8th and 9th January on 12 point charter of demands which includes opposition to anti worker, anti trade unions changes in labour laws." Com Bant Singh Brar – President, Com Nirmal Singh Dhaliwal – General Secretary and Com D P Maur – Vice PResident AITUC Punjab said that the workers strike for two days will be observed in Punjab with full enthusiasm.