Friday’s Bharat Bandh by central trade unions affecting trade, transport, key manufacturing facilities and banking services may cause an estimated loss of Rs 16,000-18,000 crore to the country’s economy, The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) said on Friday.
Normal life in various parts of the country was partly affected by the one-day strike by trade unions with banking, transport and coal mining among the most impacted, while hundreds of workers were detained in Haryana, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Trade, transport, and hotels form a major part of the country’s GDP. The other major component to the GDP and GVA is the entire package of financial services including banking. Both these key segments have been crippled by the strike.DS Rawat, Assocham Secretary General
He said the best course for the trade unions should have been to sit across the negotiating table with the government to reach a middle ground.
“The industry is not against fair wages and a decent living standard for the workforce. But the demand for minimum wages should be balanced enough not to lead to a high-cost economy,” Rawat said
Banking services have been affected throughout the country as public sector banks’ employees largely remained off-duty. Private banks, however, continued their operations normally.
Rasta Roko Agitation in Maharashtra
It was business as usual for public transport in Mumbai despite one-day nationwide strike call given by central trade unions, while it evoked a mixed response in rural Maharashtra.
The suburban trains, autorickshaws, taxis and city buses continued to operate normally, without affecting the daily schedule of lakhs of commuters in Mumbai and suburbs.
A CPM state unit leader told PTI that there were instances of ‘rasta roko’ (block roads) at various places in rural Maharashtra.
Our activists staged ‘rasta roko’ agitation in Thane and Nashik districts.Ashok Dhawle, CPM leader
On its part, the government has asked all ministries to ensure that public utilities and essential services are not affected.
Kerala CM Courts Controversy After Expressing Support to the Strike
Autorickshaws, taxis, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private buses are not plying on roads across Kerala with the workers of various unions taking part in the strike.
All major unions, barring RSS-associated BMS (Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh), have joined the strike, terming as “completely inadequate” the Central government’s assurances to look into their demands and the recent announcements for two-year bonus and hike in minimum wage.
Major roads wore a deserted look in the state capital.
Train passengers had a tough time as they had to walk to their homes after alighting at the railway station here.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has courted controversy after expressing support to the strike on Facebook with BJP hitting out against him.
Offices Shut In Noida
Many offices in Noida remain shut due to the Trade Union Strike. Workers also protested in front of the Noida Authority office.
Passengers Stranded in Haryana
Public transport across Haryana was also affected after the State Roadways employees went on a day-long strike. This left thousands of people stranded.
Private buses as well as auto-rickshaws have also joined the strike at most of the places.