The Central Trade Unions (CTUs) namely INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC along with various sectoral independent federations and associations had adopted a declaration in its National Open Mass Convention of Workers held on 30^th September 2019, at Parliament Street, New Delhi, chalking out programme of campaign at various levels in stages to culminate in a National General Strike on 8^th January 2020, (The declaration is attached which lists all concerns of the national strike action)

The campaign has been carried out successfully with state level joint conventions in almost all the states, industry wise sectoral unions’ national meetings, regional and district level conventions in some states, padyatras and jatha campaign in some of the states on the issues of strike etc. Apart from these joint activities in preparations of strike, all the constituents of CTUs conducted campaign on their own through their organised units at different level. Disbursal of several lakhs of posters, handbills, pamphlets jointly and independently by respective CTUs, by, federations/associations and by the respective unions as well was part of the extensive campaign. The strike notices have been served by the unions after such decision already taken in case of defence railways,

The Ministry of Labour failed to assure on any of the demands of workers which called a meeting on 2^nd January 2020. The attitude of the Government is that of contempt towards labour as we construe from its policies and actions.  It is more than 4 years, there is no Indian Labour conference since the last held in July 2015. The last meeting held with Group of Ministers constituted to discuss 12 point charter of demands was held in August 2015. Since then nothing proceeded in that regard. Total disregard to Tripartism and Bipartism is the policy of this Government, as is expressive from its bulldozing the labour laws & forced codification with total disregard to any of the views of the trade unions.

The Government failing to tackle crises ridden economy is busy in privatizing and selling PSUs, natural resources and other national assets which is detrimental to the national interest and national development. 12 Airports are already sold out to private hands, 100% sale of Air India is already decided, decision to sell BPCL taken, BSNL-MTNL merger announced  and 93600 telecom workers already thrown out of jobs under the garb of VRS. The privatization of railways is being pursued in steps, the auctioning of platforms is on,  attempts to privatize railway production units being made, almost 150 private trains planned to be run at the cost of services to the common man and efficient running of trains by Indian railways, there is decision to corporatize 49 defence production units deferred  for the time being in face of opposition of unions, forcible merger of Banks despite opposition from employees and officers unions, 100% FDI in coal sector also on the cards after such decisions in case of defence, railways, pharmaceuticals, animal husbandry, security services, retail trade etc. Privatization of power and road transport as well as encouragement to private insurance companies of Indian and foreign origin to weaken our public sector in insurance are being pursued. It is a policy to put the national assets and resources on sale.

It is heartening to note that the joint platform of more than 175 farmers and agricultural workers unions came together in National Convention on 29-30 November, 2019 and decided to extend their support to workers demands and to observe 8^th January 2020 as Gramin Bharart Bandh along with their charter of demands. They are pursuing their campaign.

Another great additions of convergence action on that day is the declaration by about 60 organisations of students and elected office bearers of some universities to extend their solidarity and with their agenda in regard to raised fee structures and opposition to commercialization of education, having decided to join the strike action on 8^th January 2020. There have been attacks on students and teachers in various university campuses, the latest one being yesterday night, the brutal attack by motivated goons on students-teachers of JNU. We condemn such attacks and express our solidarity with students and teachers all over India.

We expect participation of not less than 25 crore of working people in the forth coming National General Strike on 8^th January 2020, to be followed by many more actions seeking reversal of the anti-worker, anti-people, anti-national policies of the Government.  

INTUC  |  AITUC  |  HMS  |  CITU  |  AIUTUC  |  TUCC  |  SEWA  |  AICCTU  |  LPF  |  UTUC

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) strongly condemns the brutal and barbaric attacks by the ABVP goons on the students of JNU including the President of JNUSU, Aishe Ghosh today evening.  The ABVP- RSS goons from outside entered hostels even the girls hostels and indiscriminately attacked the students with sharp weapons.

The teachers were also attacked. Around 18 students got injured and fifteen are in AIIMS trauma center. Many including Aishie got head injuries. Two students got serious injuries. Two faculty members have been injured and one is admitted.

In last few days, the ABVP people were continuously attacking the students who are on a struggle for the past 70 days. Today, 5 January,
around two hundred RSS - ABVP goons from outside entered the campus and attacked a gathering organized by the JNUTA for peace in the campus.
The  police was called but they were not preventing the attackers but rather facilitating them. We strongly condemn the attitude of Delhi police and JNU administration for facilitating the RSS criminals.

CITU calls upon all its state committees, affiliated unions, members and the people of the country to immediately protest against these attacks. This attacks shows the desperation of the RSS led right wing forces who are getting isolated from the people by the growing protests against the CAA and the anti people policies of the government.

Issued by
Tapan  Sen
General Secretary

The Central Trade Unions conveyed their firm resolve after the meeting called by Union Labour Minister.    

The Central Trade Unions were invited by the Labour Minister for a discussion today, 2nd January 2020 at New Delhi.

In the meeting, Labour Minister in his initial comments stated that the Govt of India has been taking all steps for the welfare of the workers and legislations on Labour Codes are a part of that.

The constituents of united platform of trade unions viz., AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC who were present in the meeting strongly contradicted and protested the statement of the Minister and stated that the entire Labour Codes are a design of imposing slavery on the workers and it is not acceptable to the trade union movement of the country and they will not surrender.

None of the issues which have been continuously raised by the Central Trade Unions, including the basic issues of unemployment, minimum wages and social security were addressed by the Minister. Doing away with all democratic practices, the government has not called the tripartite Indian Labour Conference after 2015. The unions further stated that against such anti labour policies of the Govt, along with other issues, the central trade unions have decided to go in for a countrywide General Strike on 8th January 2020 and the strike stands. The strike is going to take place in a massive way throughout the country with the active support of various sections including the peasantry.

The central trade unions further warned that the govt must take the message and mend their ways and change the anti labour anti people anti national moves and policies.

Issued by
Tapan Sen
on behalf of 

INTUC |  AITUC |  HMS |  CITU |  AIUTUC |  TUCC |  SEWA |   AICCTU |  LPF |  UTUC

CITU - Congratulates the People for their Spontaneous Response Braving Government’s Onslaughts; Denounces Police Atrocities on Peaceful Protesters; and Calls Upon the People to Extend Support to the General Strike on January 8, 2020.

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) welcomes and greets all sections of the people for their countrywide spontaneous response to the call for protest mobilizations on 19^th December 2019 against the infamous Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which is an outrageous onslaught on the Indian Constitution and the right to equality irrespective of religion, caste and creed as enshrined in the Constitution. In all states and UTs, people in tens of thousands demonstrated their strong protest against and disapproval of the Citizenship Amendment Act through rallies, dharnas, demonstrations etc.

CITU condemns police atrocities in many parts of the country against the peaceful protest demonstrations/rallies. At many places, particularly in the BJP-ruled states and in NCT Delhi, police resorted to physical intimidations, prohibitory orders, lathi charge, mass scale arrests of the leaders and activists etc; injuring several hundreds of people; killing two persons in police firing in Mangalore and one person in Lucknow. More such reports are pouring in.

Earlier, at the dictate of the Central Government, students’ protest in Jamia Milia University was sought to be crushed by Delhi Police even entering the University campus, girls hostels at night with nefarious intent to create atmosphere of terror to suppress all kinds of democratic protests.

The united platform of Central Trade Unions and Federations in a joint statement issued on 17^th December 2019 denounced the anti-constitutional Citizenship Amendment Act  and its divisive and disruptionist intent; demanded to repeal this infamous Act; and called upon the working class to voice their protest and disapproval.

The Declaration of the National Convention of Workers, held on 30^th September 2019, calling for countrywide general strike on 8^th January 2020 had emphatically denounced the divisive, disruptive and undemocratic machinations of the Govt. through various measures like abrogation of Article 370; draconian amendment of UAPA Act; announcing NRC process to begin in all states etc. for communal polarization and also aiming to cover up their misdeeds and failures in all fronts. The Joint Declaration of Central Trade Unions called for defeating these destructive and conspiratorial designs through countrywide general strike on 8^th January 2020.

CITU calls upon the people to unitedly build strong opposition to CAA and follow it up with the battle cry of  general strike on 8^th January 2020 with determination to defeat the nefarious game-plan of the Govt. and to defend the rights and livelihood of the workers and the people; Country’s Constitution; national economy and its self reliance.   

Issued by
(Tapan Sen)
General Secretary