Leaders of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) said on February 10 that the organisation would not participate in the national strike of February 12. The nationwide strike call was made by the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha, which includes INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC and others, against the recently enacted Labour Codes by the government. BMS supports the Labour Codes, particularly the Code on Wages and Code on Social Security Notes.
BMS Ernakulam district secretary Dhanesh and joint secretary Shibu said that BMS employees would join duties wherever BMS enjoys trade union presence; letters have been forwarded to the employers in this regard.
BMS said that those who are going to join the strike may do so. But they do not have any right to prevent others from joining duties. Under normal circumstances, managements facilitate this. Letters have been handed over to Cochin Shipyard Limited, Naval Base, Ports, FACT, IREL and BPS.
BMS district leaders declared that BMS has 1.5 lakh members in Ernakulam district. They all will join duties. The workers will reject this strike. The strike has got a decorative name – All India Strike!!! It will happen only in Kerala!!!
Leaders of CPM-controlled CITU and Congress-led INTUC have stated that workers of private bus, auto rickshaw and taxi would participate in the national strike.
They claimed that government offices, banks, schools, colleges and public transport would remain closed on February 12. Teaching and non-teaching staff will join the strike; hence the roads will be empty. Three bank workers’ organisations are in the strike; hence the banking sector is expected to remain closed.
Opposition trade union leaders stated that essential services like hospital, milk and media alone would be exempted. The 24-hour strike will commence by Wednesday midnight.
BMS alleged that the nationwide strike called by the central unions and the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha is politically motivated rather than genuine. BMS supports the Labour Codes, particularly the Code on Wages and Code on Social Security Notes. The union prefers resolving issues through discussions with the government and has received assurances from the Labour Minister regarding its concerns.
