Nationwide Protest Day on 22nd May 2020

Nationwide Protest Day on 22nd May 2020

No. Confd./Protest-2020

Dated: 17.05.2020

NATIONWIDE PROTEST DAY ON 22nd MAY 2020.
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AGAINST THE ANTI – WORKER AND ANTI – PEOPLE ONSLAUGHTS OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
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HOLD PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS IN FRONT OF ALL CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES.

The Central Government has announced deregulation and privatisation of core and strategic sectors like Defence production, Space Research, Power, Civil aviation, Coal and mineral sectors. It is also declared by the Finance Minister that non – strategic public sector undertakings will also be privatised. Govt is implementing its political agenda by going ahead with the naked and unbridled pro – corporate reforms in all sectors of the economy utilizing the COVID-19 crisis. It is wholesale privatisation. Combined with these reforms , serious attempt is made for amending all labour laws in favour of employers. Already some state Governments had promulgated ordinances in this direction suspending all labour laws and increased the working hours from eight to twelve hours per day. The Government has cleverly linked these reforms with the 20 lakhs crore economic package announced by the Prime Minister , eventhough these reforms have nothing to do with the stimulus packages and relief measures to be provided to the agricultural and industrial sectors and common people of our country. Needless to say that these pro – corporate reform measures and labour law amendments will severely affect the life and livelihood of crores of workers and common people of our country. Central Government employees are no exception.

Regarding Defence sector , the Defence employees federations were already opposing the move of the Government to corporatise and privatise the Ordnance factories. They have conducted month – long relay dharma at Parliament street, New Delhi and five days all India strike . Government had earlier deferred the Corporatisation move due to stiff resistance from five lakhs defence employees. Knowing the present limitations of the unions to organise serious agitational programmes like strike during Covid – 19 restrictions , the Government has unilaterally declared the corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board ( OFB). Raising the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in defence sector from 49 to 74% will pave way for entry of multinational foreign Corporations in defence production sector , which , in the long run will jeopardise the national security of our country and job security of the employees.

In the coming days , more attacks are to come in almost all sectors including Central Government Employees sector. Already many departments have initiated action in this regard as per the advice of NITI Ayog. Closure of Government of India printing presses, outsourcing of Government functions in many departments , large scale contractorisation , casual labour engagement and downsizing has become the order of the day. Central Government Employees, especially Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers had organised series of struggle programmes against these onslaughts , including strike.

The Central Trade Unions have unanimously decided to combat these onslaughts of the Government by all possible means. As a first phase , it is decided to organise NATIONWIDE PROTEST DAY ON 22nd MAY 2020. Confederation being an integral part of the mainstream of the working class of India, has endorsed the call of the Central Trade Unions.

Accordingly , the National Secretariat of Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers calls upon all affiliated organisations and state/District level Coordinating Committees (COCs) to hold protest demonstrations in front of all Central Government offices , strictly observing the Covid – 19 restrictions imposed by Central and State Governments. Minimum permitted number of employees and leaders may sit in front of offices holding placards with demands , with all precautionary measures like masks , social distancing etc. Wide publicity may be given to the programme through print / electronic media and social media.

FRATERNALLY YOURS,

(R.N. PARASHAR)
SECRETARY GENERAL
CONFEDERATION OF CGE&W

Source : Confederation