BMS said the strikes called on March 28 & 29 are politically motivated and not for the benefit of the workers and emphasised that ‘satta parivartan’ can not address the problems of the workers, and there is a need for ‘vyavastha parivartan’.
The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) said on Thursday (March 25) said that it will not participate in the nationwide strike called by the central trade unions on March 28 & 29.
“The call for the strike is a politically motivated one just to ensure the survival of political parties these unions are affiliated one and have nothing to do with workers’ interests,” the BMS said in a statement.
Further explaining its reasons to boycott the strike, it said, “Indulgence of farmers and student unions in these strikes has made it obvious that these unions don’t care the least bit about workers’ interests but only use the workers to serve the political interests of their political parties.”
It called upon the central trade unions not to exploit the workers for the political benefit of their political parties and work jointly for the benefit of the workers.
“We would like to call upon all trade unions to shed off their political affiliations and BMS would be more than happy to lead a joint non-political labour movement and we strongly condemn the exploitation of working class to serve political interests of certain political parties,” it said.
The BMS emphasised that ‘satta parivartan’ can not address the problems of the workers, and there is a need for ‘vyavastha parivartan’.
The BMS General Secretary Shri Binoy Kumar Sinha said, “In the last 75 years we have witnessed governments of different political parties and ideologies leanings but the problem of workers’ remains largely unaddressed and it is it is evident that ‘satta parivartan’ is not and can’t serve as the panacea and hence it is time we start to look at ‘vyavastha parivartan’ ie change in & within the existing system.”
The Congress party has supported the call for a strike by the central trade unions.
Commenting on the state of preparations for the strike, the central trade unions said in a statement on Wednesday (March 23), “It was reported that strike preparations are in full swing, with joint state level conventions, sector-wise conventions in public sector as well as corporate sector and the unorganised sectors such as scheme workers, domestic workers, hawkers, beedi workers, construction workers etc. Roadways transport workers and electricity workers have decided to join the strike in spite of the impending threat of ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act) in Haryana and Chandigarh. Financial sector, including banking and insurance are joining the strike.”
