The following is the statement issued on September 2 by the Central Trade Unions (CTUs) – INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, UTUC and LPF.

IT has been an unprecedented strike of millions of workers at the call of Central Trade Unions. Response has been as never before. It is the biggest strike ever in the country. This strike has been called by 10 Central Trade Unions. It has been supported by thousands of local unions, unaffiliated associations and federations. It is the broadest unity of the trade unions that has achieved this miracle. All sectors of the economy are affected. The strike received the all-out support of the people. The strike call was given against the government’s negative response to the 12 point charter, the main among these being the aggressive steps being taken by the government to amend labour laws in favour of the corporates.

We congratulate and salute the gallant workers for their magnificent response. We expect the government to take lesson and take steps to ameliorate the grievances of the working masses. It must restart discussions with Central Trade Unions for concrete solution to the demands failing which the struggle will be intensified. 

This strike has been so widespread because of the growing discontentment among working people against anti-worker policies of the government. It is also a protest against food price rise and failure of the government to contain the slow-down of the economy leading to heavy retrenchment and informalisation.

The strike has been unprecedented in transport, oil, coal, power, bank, state government employees, insurance, port & dock, defence, postal, telecom and automobile industries. Thousands of workers have been on streets to make the strike an excellent success. Delhi has also seen the impact of the strike.

The Central Trade Unions condemn the police action and atrocities by hooligans on the peaceful agitation by the trade union cadres for this strike in West Bengal. It is a state backed terrorism. We believe that all the right thinking people of the country should unitedly protest against the atrocities committed on the trade union cadres of West Bengal. Despite the terrorism sponsored by the state, the undaunted trade union activists have made the strike a success. We greet them.

There have also been lathicharges in different parts of the country. There have also been cases of intimidation by the police and arrest of workers.  In some states, despite imposing ESMA, workers have moved forward undaunted to make this strike a grand success.

The Central Trade Unions condemn the reckless police action.