Jan 8 Strike: 23 Workers’ Unions Set to Participate in Maharashtra

A total of 23 mega and medium-scale workers unions in Maharashtra are preparing to make the all India strike on January 8 successful. 

"Various warring factions of unions like in Bruhanmumbai Transport system are joining hands. They will participate unitedly in the strike. Unions like bank employees associations to driver and helpers unions of lorry trucks will also participate in the strike," said Vishwas Utagi, coordinator of joint action committee of workers in Maharashtra.

The workers have put forth 12 demands in front of the Modi government, including roll back of anti-labours laws, inflation, reducing unemployment, minimum wage of Rs 21,000, complete ban on contract labour system and others. The workers are also demanding an increase in dearness allowance, removal of upper limit on eligibility criteria of bonus, empowerment of tri-party system as well as registration of unorganised labourers.

With the Shiv Sena withdrawing from the Modi-led NDA government, the party has also extended support to the workers’ union. "We are with workers of the country. We have strong unions in hotels, airports, transport sector as well as other sectors. We will support the strike," said Rajya Sabha MP from Shiv Sena, Sanjay Raut.

Notably, a year earlier on January 8, 2019, when there was another all India general strike, Shiv Sena was not a part of it in turn affecting the workers unity. 

From central unions like All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) to unions like Mathadi Kamgar Sena, an organisation of coolies in Mumbai's Agriculture Produce Market Committee are set to participate in the strike.