Campaign and organize vigorously for the All India Strike on December 14, 2006

Numerous trade unions across the country have called for an All India Industrial Strike on December 14, 2006. This would be a major all India action by the working class, since the UPA government came to power.

National convention of workers organized by the Sponsoring Committee of Trade Unions – a united platform of struggle against neo-liberal economic policies – held on 25th July in Delhi called upon all the toilers, irrespective of their affiliations to unitedly carry out the strike against the anti-people, and anti-worker policies of the UPA government. The convention was attended by representatives of central trade unions, industrial federations and independent unions.

A declaration was adopted by the convention which demanded that the government should immediately take steps to change the direction of its economic policies and take urgent action on various demands of the working masses and other people. It was emphasized in the declaration that the UPA government was persisting with the neo-liberal economic agenda of the erstwhile NDA government, heaping unbearable burdens on the people, while favoring the rich. The convention demanded that immediate measure should be taken on the following demands of the working class.

1. Take firm and swift measures to check price rise and strengthen the PDS
2. Immediately introduce the comprehensive legislation for the Unorganized Sector workers incorporating the unanimous suggestions of the Trade Unions. Simultaneously bring in a separate comprehensive legislation for the agricultural workers.
3. Immediately enact the Urban Employment Guarantee Bill to cover the urban unemployed
4. Remove ban on recruitment in government and public sector undertakings. Stop downsizing of workforce
5. Stop contractorisation and outsourcing of jobs.
6. Strengthen the enforcement machinery to ensure implementation of all labour laws, including statutory minimum wages, equal wages, maternity benefits, etc.
7. Immediately enact legislation against sexual harassment at work places. Ensure full protection for women against atrocities.
8. Stop privatization and disinvestment of profit making and strategic PSUs including nationalized banks, telecom, air ports, etc; stop merger of banks; no corporatisation of defense production units. No privatization of public services and utilities. Take urgent measure for the revival of all sick, loss making but potentially viable PSUs.
9. Stop measures to raise FDI in telecom sector; No FDI in defense sector; No raise to the FDI cap in banking and insurance; No FDI in coal, retail and pension sectors.
10. Withdraw the amendment bill to the Banking Regulation Act.
11. Review the Electricity Act 2003 and the National Electricity Policy of 2005.
12. Immediate measures to ensure the right to strike for workers and employees including government employees.
13. Carry out extensive land reforms and step up public investment in agriculture and irrigation facilities.
14. Take stringent action for recovering NPAs and unpaid tax arrears from the defaulters in the corporate and big business lobby.
15. Annul the drastic cuts in the interest rate on EPF, GDF, CMPF, PPF and small savings
16. Scrap the new series of consumer price index (2001=100) and set up an index review committee.

The convention also planned a series of actions, meetings and demonstrations at various levels across several states leading to the 14 December General Strike. From 16 August to 15 September 2006 Conventions at State & Sectoral levels will be held. 20 September 2006 will be observed as National Day for Mobilisation for General Strike and would be marked by demonstrations, rallies, etc. On 29 November 2006 unions will jointly serve Strike Notice in their respective establishments.

People's Voice calls upon all its readers, toilers and tillers to vigorously work towards the success of the all India strike, closely working with workers of all unions by organizing and actively involving fellow workers, and trade union activists in discussion on reorientation of the Indian economy, road blocks in building political unity of all people against the offensive of the bourgeoisie, inspiring them to wage principled and uncompromising struggle against the programme of privatization and liberalization, and put forth its own programme - programme of the working class for democratic renewal of India.