A battle to Save National Resources for National Development

Press Release

The following statement was issued by the Central Trade Unions on 2nd July 2020

The Central Trade Unions Congratulate Coal Workers

For Grand Successful beginning of 3 days Strike in Coal Sector

It is a battle to Save National Resources for National Development

The Central Trade Unions congratulate the Coal Workers for grand beginning of three days Strike call given by all Unions and Federations active in the coal industry in all places of activities in the coal sector. The reports from ground are that first and second shift have registered 100 percent strike. The attendance for supply of electricity, water and health services also very minimal. The Unions/Federations had served the strike notice on 18th June 2020.

The Prime Minister himself came forward to launch the process of auction on 18th June, hence the decision of unions to choose this day to protest and give strike notice was taken. The fact of the matter is that even the earlier auctioned and allotted coal blocks could not be started as per schedule period which need to be cancelled immediately.

It is to be noted that the secretary coal had meeting with unions on 30th June which was inconclusive. Then the Coal Minister talked to unions on 1st July but was non-committal on their demands specially of taking back the decision of commercial mining hence the unions decided to go ahead with the strike.

The Coal Workers are fighting to defend Coal Sector in the national interest.

The unions have gone on strike raising five demands in:-

1. Withdraw the decision of Commercial Mining in Coal Industry.

2. Stop all steps towards weakening or privatization of CIL or SCCL.

3. Withdraw decision to De-link CMPDIL from CIL.

4. Enforce HPC/CIL enhanced wages to contract workers in CIL and SCCL.

5. Implement the clause 9.3.0, 9.4.0 and 9.5.0 of National Coal Wage Agreement.

The Coal unions and the Central Trade Unions have been opposing the Government policy of 100 percent FDI in Coal sector. The respective state chapters have extended their solidarity support to this agitation to defend this core public sector in the national interest and for our nation’s self reliance in this sector. In the nationwide protest by CTUs on 3rd July, there is support & solidarity of Coal Workers also.

INTUC AITUC HMS CITU AIUTUC TUCC. SEWA

AICCTU. LPF. UTUC