UDUPI: CITU, in association with 10 labour organisations, including banks, insurance and BSNL, will hold a nationwide protest on January 8 and 9, 2019.

Speaking to media persons, CITU leader K Shankar said the protest was being organized to condemn the central government’s attitude of hurriedly implementing the economic policies supporting the idea of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation, which was pursued in 1991.

He added there was opposition to curb subsidies and cancel the free ration. “The idea to transfer the amount is also ridiculous.”

Shankar added that the government should aim at increasing the employment opportunities by setting up of new companies and factories.

The 7th Pay Commission’s recommendation of fixing the minimum wage at Rs 18,000 is not being implemented. The central government should immediately introduce the minimum wage as Rs 18,000. He added that the amendments of Labour Laws should be stopped, which aims at making the labourers absolute slaves.

He demanded that privatization of public entities should be stopped and all labourers should be made entitled for the social security.

The retired labourers should receive at least the pension of Rs 6,000. The farmers’ growth should be ensured with justifiable support price. He said the demand will also be raised to find solution for sand problem in the region.

He added that the laws should be formulated ensuring the regularisation of the employees taken through outsourcing at the rate of 50% in the public sector and 60% in the private sector respectively.