Normal life was thrown out of gear with the nation-wide strike observed by various trade unions, including CITU, AITUC, INTUC, and other organisations in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts on Monday.
All the public sector banks remained closed in two districts and employees of 12 banks staged protests and participated in rallies to oppose the privatisation policies of the Union government. APSRTC buses were not operated in many routes as employees of the Corporation also extended their solidarity to the trade unions. Autorickshaws also did not ply on roads causing inconvenience to travelling public who remained stranded at bus complexes.
A majority of the industries witnessed little attendance of employees and workers in Pydibhimavaram industrial zone and other places. However, Aurobindo Pharma Limited claimed that the production was as usual in its Pydibhimavaram unit with 100% attendance of the employees and workers.
Tension prevailed at certain areas as trade union leaders did not allow workers to attend duties, explaining that the strike was needed to protect the interests of the workforce and register their protest against the four Labour Codes which replaced over 45 labour laws in the country.
CPI(M) Srikakulam district secretary D. Govinda Rao said that rapid privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and other public sector units was detrimental to the interests of all sections of society as private players would function only with profit motive. “The government should enhance the minimum wages to ₹25,000 per month to enable every worker to meet the rising cost of living.,” he said.
INTUC leader Modili Srinivas, AITUC leader Bugata Ashok and others led rallies in Vizianagaram and raised slogans against the government. They urged people to extend their support to the strike on Tuesday also. Mr. Srinivas said that privatisation of banks would be detrimental to the interests of customers, particularly depositors.
