Trade unions call Union Budget ‘anti-public, anti-labour, anti-farmer’

Terming the Union Budget as ‘anti-public, anti-labour and anti-farmer’, trade union members on Monday tore-off copies of the document as they staged a protest in Tirunelveli.

CITU district secretary R. Murugan, who inaugurated the agitation held at Vannarpet, said the Narendra Modi-led government, which was keen on implementing ‘pro-corporate’ labour laws, had come out with similar announcements in the budget to nourish the super rich further. While public sector undertakings were being systematically privatised despite intense resistance from trade unions, 100% foreign direct investment in the insurance sector had been allowed in the budget.

“At the same time, there is no announcement in the budget on reviving the old pension scheme, minimum wages, hike in Employees’ Provident Fund, minimum support price for agricultural produce etc. The budget proposes to cut fertilizer subsidies further. Hence, this budget will further worsen financial burden on the public,” Mr. Murugan said.

Organising secretary of LPF A. Dharman presided over the agitation in which office-bearers of CITU, AITUC, HMS, AICCTU and LPF participated.