Essential services, including banking, insurance and telecommunication, were affected in South Coastal Andhra Pradesh as the two-day Bharat Bandh, called by Central trade unions in protest against the alleged anti-worker policies of the Narendra Modi government, began on Monday.
Striking work, employees in various sectors held massive processions in, among other cities, Nellore and Ongole and raised slogans to press for scrapping of new labour codes and saving public sector units, including the Sri Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Thermal Power Plant and the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
International Federation of Trade Unions State president R. Mohan called for a sustained campaign to save the nation as, he said, the BJP-led government pursued anti-people policies vigorously.
Contract and outsourced State government employees also took part in the stir as also members of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and All India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha who made a common cause with workers in the manufacturing and services sector.
Skit performed
Members of the Arundhoya artistes performed a skit on the ill-effects of the Centre’s “pro-corporate” policies in front of the Prakasam Bhavan in Ongole.
The protestors also raised slogans demanding social security for workers in the informal sector including Anganwadi, ASHA, mid-day meal and other scheme workers and a hike in monthly minimum wages to ₹26,000 in cities and towns.
They also demanded stepping up of public investment in agriculture, education, health and public utilities, imposition of wealth tax on the rich and slashing of excise duty on petroleum products with a view to check skyrocketing prices of all essential commodities.
