Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 21: Protest demonstrations and rallies marked the second day strike in nationalized banks, insurance sector and other Central and State Government offices, the call of which was jointly given by 11 trade unions of the country.
The work remained affected in banking as well as Insurance Sector and various other Central, State Government and public sector offices on the second consecutive day of strike today with ATMs of all nationalized banks including SBI and PNB remaining dry. Even the work remained paralyzed in RBI as the staff members of the Bank also observed the two days strike.
Massive demonstrations were held and protest rallies were taken out by the working class across the State in support of their demands.
A massive rally was taken out by joint platform of Central Indian Trade Unions in which the activists affiliated to INTUC, AITUC, CITU and other organizations participated. The rally after passing through main bazaars like Dogra Chowk, Jewel Chowk, Gumat Bazar, City Chowk Raghunath Bazar culminated at Indira Chowk.
Addressing the rally CPI (M) State secretary and MLA Kulgam Mohammed, Yousf Tarigami said the joint platform has played a pioneering role in opposing the neo-liberal policies of the Union Government which are totally anti poor and anti working class.
He, while expressing concern over the plight of the working class in the country who is being crushed under the price hike of essential commodities demanded immediate roll back of the liberalization policy and entry of FDI in retail market.
Justifying the demands of working class he stressed on regularization of daily wagers, enhancement of their wages to Rs 10,000 per month, providing of ration, at rate of Rs 2 per kg. He also demanded regularization of Asha and Anganwari workers and other consolidated employees.
Shiv Kumar Sharma president INTUC and its general secretary Raghubir Singh Chib demanded strict enforcement of labour laws and punitive measures for violation of labour laws. They also criticized the anti poor and anti working class policies of the Government.
Others who addressed the rally included Sham Prasad Kesar senior leader INTUC, Arun Kumar Gupta, Ashwani Pradhan and Anil Vaid of Banking sector, Dalip Koul and Pawan Gupta of Insurance Sector, Balkar Singh and D R Sharma of AITUC.
Another rally was taken out from Parade to Governor House by Coordination Committee of Trade Unions (CCTU) J&K, Earlier the employees assembled at Parade where from a huge procession was taken to Raj Bhawan. The employees with banners and flags in their hands were shouting slogans against the pension reforms, policy of outsourcing, contractulization and attack on social security and Trade Union Rights.
While addressing the rally at Parade Mohammed Maqbool State president JKCCTU and national secretary AISGEF said that Central Government is pursuing the disastrous economic and anti labour policies at the behest of IMF, World Bank and World Trade organization. These policies are very harmful to common people especially the working class. He said the life of common man has become miserable by the anti working class and pro capitalist policies of Union Government. The other trade union leaders who addressed the rally included Gurmeet Sing, Ram Kumar Sharma, Bharat Bushan, Ghulam Nabi Reshi, Mohan Lal, Rakhusana Ji, Jasbir Singh, Mushtaq Ahmed, Surinder Sharma, Ashok Kumar and others.
All the members of PNB Officers Association, SBI staff members as well as RBI officers and clerical staff and staff of other nationalized banks also observed the second day strike today bringing work to grinding halt in these institutions.
The Postal and BSNL employees also participated in the second day strike while the workers affiliated to BMS also held protest demonstrations at different parts in the State which were addressed by Laxman Ravinder Singh,Ashok Chandal and other senior leaders.
RBI Employees Association also held a protest demonstration in front of RBI building here which was addressed by leaders of United Forum of Bank Employees who included B S Kirola, secretary RBI Association, Supen Kumar, chief secretary, RBI Workers Union, and Raj Kumar president RBI Workers Union. The SBI officers Association held the demonstration in front of its head Office at Rail Head.
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