Joint Trade Unions to stage protest against lathi-charge on July 06

Central Chronicle News
Bhilai, Jul 03: Joint Trade Unions have unanimously decided to stage demonstration at Equipment Square on July 06 to protest against the lathi-charge on peaceful demonstrators. After the success of the June 30 strike, a review meeting of the Joint Trade Union Front was held in Sector-1 AITUC office under the chairmanship of Nand Kishore Gupta.
The office bearers of BMS, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AICCTU, Ispat Shramik Manch, Steel Workers Union, LOIMU, Hindustan Ispat Theka Shramik Union (CITU) and BSP SAIL Theka Shramik Union (HMS) congratulated all the employees and contractor workers on the success. The participation of young workers, senior workers and teachers in this strike was also commendable. The workmen of emergency and essential services participated in the strike as well as ensured to deliver their duties.
TU leaders said that the strike remained peaceful since the morning till night but at the behest of the people who were shocked with the success of this strike, the police administration brutally lathi-charged the striking leaders and workers at Equipment Chowk at around 22:30 hrs. They strongly condemned this incidence and demanded a judicial inquiry.
On the day of the strike, CISF Personnel and Officers were unnecessarily arguing with the striking workers who were appealing other workers to participate in the strike. The unions raised objection on such activity and stated that the CISF has jurisdiction inside the plant boundary and maintaining law and order outside the plant is not their responsibility. On the day of strike, they came out of their boundary to act against the striking workers. Else on other days, they don’t even bother to clear the traffic jams which occur at Boria Gate, Main Gate or Khursipar Gate.
The TU leaders alleged that with the aim of disturbing the law and order situation, liquor was distributed among some striking workers at around 20:00 hrs. TUs condemned such conspiracy and are trying to trace the people behind this incident. The traitors of labour movement should not be spared, they said. They expressed suspicion on the role of a local trade union which had not served the strike notice and had surprisingly appeared on the last day to participate in the strike.
The leaders of the joint trade union said that the exploitation of the contract workers continues only in the knowledge of the operating authority and the officer authorized to check the wages of the contract workers inside the plant. The organization of officers also remains silent on this issue but this organisation reacts on the struggle of workmen.
TU leaders alleged that SEFI is trying to create differences between the executives and non-executives by issuing certain statements and writing letters to the authorities. Frustrated with the negligible presence of workers on the day of the strike, the management has closed the website of the workers attendance for the last two days. Joint TUs demanded immediate revocation of suspension of the employees who faced disciplinary action during the tool down agitation.