New Delhi, Jan 8 (UNI) The impact of two-day nationwide strike called by Central trade unions against ''anti-people, anti-labour and anti-national policies'' of the Union Government remained total on its first day on Tuesday.
According to preliminary reports, the effect of strike could be seen in sectors of banking, insurance, coal, mining, petroleum, postal, telecommunications, engineering, manufacturing, steel, health, defence, education, water, road transport. Several central and state government employees also did not report for work.
The strike has been called by ten major trade unions in protest against the Narendra Modi government's alleged anti-worker policies and unilateral labour reforms. The trade unions are demanding minimum wages and social security schemes, among others.
According to reports, nearly 20 crore workers of the state and central government are expected to join the nationwide strike which has been called by a consortium of ten central trade unions and has received support from organisations like the AITUC, CITU, HMS, AIUTUC, TUCC, AICCTU, along with employees in the banking and insurance sector.
RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh or BMS is not participating in the strike.
According to the information received from different sectors, 80 per cent of the work in industrial areas remained stalled. The banking and insurance sector also did not work. Up to 70 per cent of the post office staff did not report for work. Public sector undertakings have also received reports of closure of work.
Strike was witnessed in Delhi, Haryana, Assam, Manipur, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal, Tripura, Bihar, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu. Strike also affected work on the ports and airports.
Labor organisations have alleged that jobs are being ended due to the economic policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre and unemployment is on the rise.
Apart from this, the labor organisation has been demanding regularisation of all workers, social welfare, minimum wages, government schemes related to Anganwadi, hope and health workers, privatisation of government institutions and reduce inflation.