the goan I network
PANAJI
Goa gave a lukewarm response to the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call given by multiple trade unions as part of a nationwide general strike to protest anti-worker policies of the government even as thousands of workers joined a peaceful march in the capital city on Wednesday. The rally of workers kicked off at Patto and culminated in a public meeting at Azad Maidan, but the bandh did not get much response as traders and businesses stayed open.
Banking institutions and public transport operations however were severely affected, the former because most employees supported the strike and the latter out of fear that workers could resort to violence and damage vehicles.
Meanwhile, several trade union leaders from the State addressed the workers at the Azad Maidan and exhorted them to continue pressing for their demands including pay rationalisation, fixing of minimum wages, social security and several others.
Trade union leader Christopher Fonseca said the strike was necessary to build awareness about the anti-worker policies of the Centre.
Fonseca said, many public sector institutions are being sought to be shut down by the Central government and the move will only add to the precarious employment scenario in the country with lakhs of jobs likely to be lost.
The strike in Goa was supported by All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Goa Bank Employees Association (GBEA), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Goa Trade Union Confederation, Goa Bus Owners Association, BSNL Employees Union and several other workers’ organisations.
