People's Democracy

(Weekly Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Vol. XXIX

No. 38

September 18, 2005

  CHARTER OF DEMANDS FOR SEPT 29 GENERAL STRIKE

 

The National Convention of Trade Unions held in New Delhi on July 9, 2005 demanded the government of India to immediately effect a directional change in its economic policies and take actions on the following urgent demands:

  1. Enact comprehensive legislation on service conditions and social security for unorganised sector workers and agricultural workers with adequate government funding and effective monitoring system.

  2. Suitably amend/change the National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill to ensure employment guarantee for the rural and urban unemployed within a timeframe in line with commitment made in the CMP.

  3. Halt moves towards downsizing of work force and lift ban on recruitment; stop contractorisation.

  4. Strengthen inspection and enforcement machinery to ensure strict implementation of all labour laws including statutory minimum wages in all sectors including SEZs and EPZs; no pro-employer changes in labour laws in the name of flexibility.

  5. Enact legislation to prevent sexual harassment of women at work place and ensure full protection to women against atrocities.

  6. Stop privatisation and disinvestment of profit making and strategic sector PSUs including nationalised banks, telecom, airports, port & dock, public transport etc; no privatisation of public services and utilities; stop merger of banks; no corporatisation of defence production units.

  7. Take urgent measures for revival of sick/loss making but potentially viable PSUs.

  8. Rescind measures raising FDI cap in telecom sector and permitting FDI in defence sector; drop proposed raising of cap on FDI in banking and insurance sectors; halt step to allow FDI in coal, retail and pension sectors; withdraw amendment bills on Banking Regulation and Reserve Bank of India Acts.

  9. Review Electricity Act, 2003 and the National Electricity Policy (announced on February 3, 2005); repeal provisions against cross-subsidisation and on unbundling and privatisation of SEBs; eliminate rural-urban divide; ensure supply to rural areas, agricultural sector and urban weaker sections.

  10. Undertake immediate legislative measures to ensure right to strike for all workers and employees including in government services. Ensure unfettered right to organise and collective bargaining.

  11. Constitute Sixth Pay Commission for the government employees.

  12. Remove ceilings on eligibility and calculation in Payment of Bonus Act.

  13. Raise interest rates on EPF, GPF, CMPF, PPF and small savings instruments by raising the administered rate of interest; scrap New Pension System and the PFRDA Bill; restore the pre-2004 pension scheme for the new entrants in government services.

  14. Carry out land reforms and step up public investment for irrigation facilities.

  15. Strengthen public distribution system.

  16. Take stringent measures for recovering NPAs and unpaid tax arrears from the defaulters in the corporate and big business lobby.