NALCO disinvestment: Unions call general strike

Major leading trade unions have announced a general strike in Orissa on June 30 to protest offloading of government stake in NALCO.

Describing disinvestment of profit making PSUs as an act of political bankruptcy and illogical, major leading trade unions have announced a general strike in Orissa on June 30 to protest offloading of government stake in NALCO.

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In a statement AICCTU, CITU, BMS, HMS, INTUC and UTUC (LS) said the industrial federation of banks, insurance and railway employees at a convention at Bhubaneswar have decided to observe a statewide strike on Friday next.

"On June 30 the entire trade union movement throughout the country shall jointly organise effective solidarity programmes including dharna, demonstrations, gate meetings, corner meetings etc," according to a joint statement by the trade unions here.

Meanwhile, employees of Neyveli Lignite Corporation have decided to launch an indefinite strike from July 4 to protest against the government's decision to disinvest equity in the PSU.

The All India NMDC Workers Federation also slammed a proposed move by the government to divest 15 per cent equity of NMDC and have resolved to observe strike on July 7 and thereafter an indefinite strike from August 4 next.

"We appeal to the entire trade union movement as well as the patriotic democratic people all over the country irrespective of affiliations to raise their powerful voice against the suicidal decision of the government, extend all out support to the fight to stop disinvestment of NALCO, NMDC and NLC, the statement said.