Trade unions protest against flawed union budget
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangalore, Mar 5: Trade unions across the length and breadth of the country jointly organized a “Jail Bharo” programme, agitating against the pro-capitalist and anti-people policies of the Union Government. In Mangalore, the agitators protested in front of the DC Office on March 5, Friday. They also organized a protest march from the Town Hall to the DC Office
The protesting trade unions included the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), and others.
Launching a tirade against price rice, Mr. Sitaram Berinje said that people no longer have any patience because the prices of all essential items have risen. Moreover, a proposal to raise the price of LPG Gas by Rs 100 has reached the Centre. He urged that the prices should be lowered so that people can afford basic necessities.
Pointing out the disadvantages of the union budget, District Leader of BMS Vasanth said that the people of the district have a number of sufferings stored for them in future because of this union budget. He urged the central and the state governments to raise the wagers of trade union workers so that they can afford the basic necessities of life. He said that wages should be raised in direct proportion to the hike in prices of necessities. He alleged that the authorities hardly give any social security to workers, adding that unscrupulous middlemen cheat the workers further while transferring their salaries to their accounts.
Speaking about the purpose of the Jail Bharo protest, he said that its purpose is to urge the government to reject its present economic polices and device better policies that safeguard the interests of the common man and fulfill their 5 demands, one of which is to start a social security fund for trade unions.
Later, police officials took the protestors to jail in a police van as well as 3 city buses.