Kochi, Aug 09: Eminent trade union leader and general secretary of the Hind Mazdur Sabha (HMS), U M Purohit, today said that taking away the right of the government employees to strike work would virtually make them 'bonded labourers'.
The Supreme Court judgement, banning strikes by government
employees, would force the employees to become 'bonded
labourers', which is prohibited in India, Purohit told a
meet-the-press programme here.
This judgement is 'shocking' and all trade unions should
take 'serious' note of the same, he said.
There are 34 lakh employees in the Central government, which
include 16 lakh from Railways, six lakh in defence and three
lakh in the telecom sector.
All these employees have been classified as industrial
workers and are governed by the Industrial Disputes (ID) Act.
Stating that the ID Act had laid down the procedure for
strike calls, he demanded to know why procedures had been laid
down in law if there was no right for employees to strike.
Purohit said 'collective bargaining' was accepted the world
over. The International Labour Organiastion also recognises
freedom of association and collective bargaining, he said.
The issue will be taken up at the next Indian Labour
Conference scheduled from August 25 to September 15.
All the central trade unions planned to file a petition,
seeking review of the apex court judgement, he said.
Bureau Report
