Port Blair, Jan 24: A Trade Union Convention on the All India Strike scheduled to be held on 28th February, 2012 by all the Central Trade Unions, was held at Port Blair on 22nd January, 2012. The trade union convention discussed the issues being highlighted in the All India Strike. 11 central trade unions including INTUC, BMS and CITU have jointly given a call to the working class in the country to participate in large numbers in the proposed All India Strike on 28th February, 2012 against various wrong economic policies of the central government. Mr. B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU State Committee, Mr. D. Lakshman Rao of CITU, Mr. Lawrence Fernandez of Pensioners’ Association, Mr. D. Ayyappan, General Secretary and Mr. TS Sreekumar, Asst. General Secretary of Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association addressed the Convention and called upon the working class in the islands to join the programme being organized in support of the All India Strike. Mr. SB Chatterjee of CITU presided over the Convention.
The issues on which the central trade unions will be organizing the All India Strike on 28th February, 2012 are (1) No Contractorisation of work of permanent/ perennial nature and till then payment of wages and benefits to the contract workers at the same rate as available to the regular workers of the industry/establishment (2) Amendment of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage irrespective of the schedules and fixation of statutory minimum wage at not less than Rs. 10,000/- per month with indexation. (3) Remove all ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus, Provident Fund; Increase the quantum of gratuity (4) Assured Pension for all, etc.
