Central Trade Unions began a two-day nationwide strike to protest against the government’s alleged anti-worker policies and unilateral labour reforms. “The strike is quite visible in Assam, Meghalaya, Karnataka, Manipur Bihar, Rajasthan, Goa, Punjab, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Haryana — particularly in the targeted industrial areas and different mines,” Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), told PTI.
She said that some states’ transport departments, taxi drivers and auto-rickshaw drivers have gone on strike for two days while Railway workers are holding gate meeting bearing black badge to express their solidarity. Kaur also informed that as many as 10 Central Trade Unions (CTUs) have joined hands to go on a two-day nationwide strike from Tuesday. 20 crore workers are expected to join the strike.
Because of the ongoing strike many people are being forced to stand in long queues to catch a taxi or auto. Protesters have stopped trains and burnt tires in the middle of the road, which is affecting the functioning of local trains and other transport.
Here are some pictures showing difficulties faced by people during the strike
Mumbai: People wait for Taxi at Chattrapati Maharaj Shivaji Terminus due to indefinite strike by BEST employees, in Mumbai on Tuesday, January 08, 2019. (Photo by Bhushan Koyande) |
Guwahati: Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) activists and ally organizations block a train during the 48-hour-long nationwide general strike called by central trade unions protesting against the “anti-people” policies of the Centre, in Guwahati, Tuesday, Jan 8, 2019. (PTI Photo)
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Chikmagalur: Workers travel in a pick-up van during the 48-hour-long nationwide general strike called by central trade unions protesting against the “anti-people” policies of the Centre, in Guwahati, Tuesday, Jan 8, 2019. (PTI Photo)(PTI1_8_2019_000052B) |
Patna: Police personnel clash with protesting Anganwadi volunteers during the 48-hour-long nationwide general strike called by central trade unions protesting against the “anti-people” policies of the Centre, in Patna, Tuesday, Jan 8, 2019. (PTI Photo) (PTI1_8_2019_000053B) |
Bhubaneswar: A policeman clears burning tyres off the NH-16 during a 48-hour-long nationwide general strike called by central trade unions in protest against the “anti-people” policies of the Centre, in Bhubaneswar, Tuesday, Jan 8, 2019. (PTI Photo)
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Chikmagalur: Bus drivers at a bus depot during the 48-hour-long nationwide general strike called by central trade unions protesting against the “anti-people” policies of the Centre, in Guwahati, Tuesday, Jan 8, 2019. (PTI Photo) (PTI1_8_2019_000056B) |
Mumbai: People wait for Taxi at Chattrapati Maharaj Shivaji Terminus due to indefinite strike by BEST employees, in Mumbai on Tuesday, January 08, 2019. (Photo by Bhushan Koyande) |
An Indian labourers sits on a hand-pulled cart near a wholesale market during a nationwide strike in Kolkata on January 8, 2019. – Unions said that some 200 million workers took part in what they called the biggest show of force since Modi’s right-wing government took office in 2014, accusing it of neglecting workers and farmers. (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP) |
With inputs from PTI
