The world biggest strike took place in Indian on February 28th, 2012 with the participation of approximately 100 million workers. According to the joint statements of the Indian Central Trade Unions the “Strike was total in all sectors both in organised and unorganised.”
“The clarion call given by the Central Trade Unions as well as the independent industrial federations was responded in an unprecedented manner in making the 28th February strike a historic event in annals of the Indian workers movement.
GENERAL STRIKE – SECTORAL RESPONSE IN A NUTSHELL:
Banking Sector- Bank employees and officers responded to the strike call throughout the country in most magnificent way and the strike was total.
Insurance Sector- The strike in insurance sector was cent per cent success. They joined rallies and meetings at various places.
Road transport – Public road transport came to a standstill in several States such as Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Jharkhand, Goa, Kerala, Assam, Manipur amongst others. In other States it was partially affected due to the strike. Public road transport also came to a standstill in Delhi and many states.
Coal workers – Throughout the country in the coalmines the strike was about 60 per cent.
Oil/Petroleum sector- The strike in petroleum sector, including refineries was very successful. This has affected the other sectors such as transport, airlines, etc.
Defence sector – Entire defence civilian workers working in ordnance factories, DRDO Labs and other defence installations such as MES, etc. went on strike. Activities came to a near standstill on account of the general strike.
Power sector- In large number of States thousands of power workers joined the strike which had its consequence on the other related activities. In some States the workers conducted protest actions.
Telecommunications – Telecom workers (BSNL) joined the strike in all the States as all their unions sponsored the general strike call.
Port and Docks – The strike was about 90 per cent in ports in the country.
Steel- Most of the Steel plants in public sector were closed.
State and Central Government employees – State government employees in several States such Kerala, Haryana, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Bihar, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Punjab joined the strike. In other States massive demonstrations and rallies were held. Thousands of Central Government employees in different States did not attend work as a part of general strike.
Postal -The postal employees participated in strike in full. Postal services were halted. In Delhi all principal Post Offices were closed.
Unorganised sector _ Strike by unorganised workers was magnificent, which included women workers belonging to Anganwadis, domestic workers, mid-day meal workers, ASHA Karmis, several lakh of construction workers, beedi workers and contract workers in rural as well as in the organised sector struck work and demonstrated and picketed government offices in their respective States. According to available reports, lakhs of workers in unorganised sector joined the general strike.
TRADE UNIONS WARN AGAINST REPRESSION
The reports so far received from the States and Union Territories reflect the anguish of the workers against the Government’s various pernicious economic policies and the anti-labour attitude.
Repressive actions and attack by police have been reported from several states.
· In Delhi about 200 workers were arrested by GRP at Shahadara
· In J&K about 2000 have been arrested and police lathicharged.
· In Chhatisgarh at Korba 3 workers have been severely beaten at 9 p.m. by bouncers engaged by Vedanta.
· In Andhra Pradesh several leaders have been arrested at different district headquarters.
· In Haryana at Bhiwani 38 state transport employees including Haryana Roadways workers leader Baldev Singh were arrested.
· Arrests have also been reported in Jharkhand and Assam.
· In Pondicherry 2000 activists were arrested in 9 places where picketing took place.
The Central Trade Unions wish to warn the governments and the managements that if they take recourse to vindictive and repressive measures, the entire trade union movement will retaliate in a befitting way.
The Central Trade Unions and the affiliated independent industrial federations while congratulating the entire working class of India for their magnificent response to the General Strike call and will decide the next course of action shortly after considering various aspects including the response of the Government.”