People's Democracy

THE Tamil Nadu state government's increasing intolerance to the workers genuine struggles has met with a united response from the working class. In a significant development in the trade union history of the state, for the first time a state level "Federation Of All Trade Unions" has been formed. The recent budget session of the state assembly witnessed the height of anti-worker policies of the state government. A colonial and draconian law was passed by the AIADMK government banning all forms of strike by the workers. This was their response towards the workers' ongoing agitations and their genuine demands for better wages and working conditions.

All the central trade unions and various associations of government employees and teachers assembled at the Kerala Samajam on June 19, to discuss the matter. The meeting was attended by representatives of AITUC, CITU, LPF, BMS, UTUC (LS), MLF, AICCTU, PTU, all associations representing government employees & teachers, representatives from all unions in the other sectors viz., PSUs, P&T, BSNL, Railways, Banks, Insurance and industrial level Trade Unions.

The meeting, in an unanimously adopted resolution, appealed to the district level units of all these unions/associations and federations to form district level "Federation of All Trade Unions" before July 15. To start with a massive demonstration on behalf of the Federation will be conducted on July 30 in all important centres in the state. This growing realisation and urge for unity to resist the central and state governments' attempts in thrusting reforms on the people will definitely be a significant milestone in the united movement of the workers in the state.

The legislation was introduced and passed amidst unanimous opposition of most of the political parties, including the DMK- which is the leader of the NDA in the state. Among other things this draconian legislation provides for is a fine of Rs 5000/- and imprisonment upto 3 years for those who participate in a strike or induces the workers to strike work. Refusal to do overtime duty, financial support to striking workers and any other measure that might lead to the success of the strike were also made punishable offences under this law.

Apart from this legislation, the AIADMK government had announced that they would privatise the state road transport corporations partially, reduce the level of employment in the government service, privatise certain departmental works and altogether do away with some other departments. The number of teachers in the government schools would be reduced and as a measure of austerity the existing benefits they enjoy would also be drastically reduced. When the registered unemployment in the state is soaring to new peaks, the government's effort to reduce and downsize the existing employment will definitely lead to social turbulence. The AIADMK government had increased the taxes and tariffs, hiked the bus fare and electricity charges and implemented a whole set of "reforms" suggested by the central government. Now faced with stiff opposition and resistance they have started enacting draconian legislation to deprive the people their democratic and civil rights.