Chennai: Raising their voices against the alleged anti-labour, anti-people and anti-national policies of the Union government, members of several trade unions such as Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) and All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), started a two-day strike all over the country today.
But, normalcy was not affected in Chennai, as buses, autos and trains plied as usual. State government offices were also functioning. “Tomorrow we plan to stage a road roko in Perambur and Guindy railway stations in the city,” said CITU state secretary, G Sugumaran.
Police personnel have been deployed in several public spaces to ensure no agitation takes place. In addition, the State government has ordered its employees to report to work, failing which pay cut will be implemented.
Sugumaran further stated that the strike has been partially success as there is a total hartal in Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Pondicherry.
On the demands, he stated, “We have submitted our petition detailing our 12-point charter to the government and want them to be implemented for the welfare of the employees.”
“The next demand in the line is controlling the price rise of several essential commodities. The Centre must make it a mandate that all the products have to be supplied through civil service corporation at a lower price, thus benefitting common people,” he added. Traders also staged protest in the city.