Ordnance Factory Board employees across India oppose privatisation
29 May 2020: Over 1 lakh employees across 41 Ordnance Factories spread throughout India boycotted lunch and staged walkout protest against government’s proposal to privatise the Ordnance Factory Board as a measure to draw FDI in the defence manufacturing sector. Government had to withdraw from its decision to privatise Ordnance Factory Board last year when the announcement sparked protests across India and trade unions came together to unanimously oppose the move.
Health workers at KEM Hospital, Mumbai go on strike after death of peer due to lack of PPE
27 May 2020: Nurses, Ward Boys and Sanitation Workers of KEM Hospital, Mumbai came together under the banner of Municipal Mazdoor Union to protest the death of a 32 year old Safai Karmchari who lost his life to COVID-19 due to lack of personal protective equipment. The union has demanded that all benefits of the insurance scheme as announced by the centre be extended to the family of the deceased and a job be provided to the dependants on compassionate grounds.
Central Trade Unions come together against dilution of labour laws
22 May 2020: All Central Trade Unions except Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh came together to oppose dilution of labour laws triggered by states amid the pandemic. At least 8 states announced increasing working hours from existing 8 hours to 10 or even 12 hours per day and a complete waiver from complying to key labour laws. Trade Unions also approached the International Labour Organiation against violation of its Conventions to which the Indian state is a signatory. ILO has taken cognizance of the matter and written to Government of India reminding it of its commitments. At several places trade union leaders who staged protests were detained by the police.
