The working class of the country is poised to go on a general strike on September 2.  This will be the seventeenth general strike since liberalisation began in 1991.  In the 25 years of liberalisation, these 17 strikes are a manifestation of the big resistance put up by the workers against the neo-liberal offensive.

The strike is being called for a 12-point charter of demands which consist of all the major issues which concern the working people.  They include the demand to curb price rise and strengthen the public distribution system; no dilution of labour laws; halting the privatisation and disinvestment of public sector enterprises; end to contractualisation of jobs; for a minimum wage of Rs 18,000 per month; and an assured pension of Rs 3,000 for all workers, including unorganised sector workers.  

The joint platform of central trade unions and independent federations had conducted a strike exactly a year ago, on September 2, 2015.  But the Modi government failed to respond to any of the demands.  The Ministerial Committee, which held talks with the unions on the eve of that strike, did not even meet once with the unions subsequently. Instead, the Modi government is going ahead with anti-working class measures.  The government proposes to have strategic sale of certain public sector units. Legislations for new labour laws are being drafted.  Already many BJP governments have brought about changes in the labour laws adversely affecting the rights of the workers.  

Constant price rise and food inflation are eroding real wages.  Food inflation shot up to 11.82 percent in July while the consumer price index rose to 6.07 percent for the same month which is a 23-month high.  All the tall claims of “Make in India” have not generated new jobs in manufacturing and other industries. India has one of the lowest female labour participation in the world according to the data available for 2015.  

The campaign for the strike has shown the intense anger of the workers and their resolve to unitedly struggle for their rights. In the face of this growing unity, the decision of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, at the behest of the RSS, to stay away from the strike will not stop the workers and employees affiliated to their unions from joining the strike. The united strike action will be a rebuff to the communal forces who are seeking to divide the people by raising divisive communal issues.

The strike called by the trade unions and employees’ organisations will find support from all other sections of the working people who are suffering the brunt of the neo-liberal policies.  Various kisan and agricultural workers organisations have declared support for the strike and will be conducting their solidarity and protest actions.  Student organisations have also given a call for a strike in educational institutions.

September 2 will become a powerful manifestation of the mass struggle of the working people to assert their rights and to demand alternative policies.