With the joint committee of 10 central based trade unions and several bank unions calling for a nationwide protest on November 26 against the Centre’s policies including new labour, farm laws, and privatisation of public sector units, Kerala’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) has come out firmly against it.
Reportedly, many Kochi-based business houses, merchants and traders have objected to the November 26 nationwide strike. With things slowly getting back to normal, one must remember that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on businesses.
Muthoot Fincorp MD, Thomas John Muthoot said that the nationwide strike is coming at a juncture when the nationwide lockdown has been lifted, and the industries and businesses were slowly reopening, ushering in normalcy.
Many in the business community have said that the industries and business must function as usual. The CCI has said that the strike could have a damaging effect on the state’s industrial and business activities and has asked the state government to allow the regular operating of industries on November 26.
President of Trivandrum CCI S N Raghuchandran Nair said that businesses are trying their best to survive after the lockdown was lifted, and with the containment zone restrictions, losing a day of business activity could be bad.
Meanwhile, across the country, farmers, various central trade unions such as Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC), etc. along with several bank unions and several independent organizations are participating in the protest.
The major demands of trade unions are the withdrawal of anti-farmer and anti-labour bills. Employees in the railways, banking, state and central government organizations, and employees in the unorganized sector such as taxi drivers and workers are also said to be participating in this protest.
“We are extending our support in this strike against the central government’s farm laws and the three new labour codes,” said Ullas Chumalaparambil, the general secretary of the Karnataka State IT/TeS Employees’ Union (KITU). In 2017, KITU became the very first registered IT union in Karnataka.
Trade union leaders have asked the public to keep private vehicles off the roads except in emergencies. Sources have also said that the bank’s operations are likely to take a hit as well. In Kerala, the strike will disrupt the State Election Commission’s duties as the state is preparing for the upcoming local body elections.
