The trade unions says that the strike has been called against the anti-people and anti-workers policies of the government. The unions have also sought an increase in their salaries, pointing out that inflation has been rising at an alarming rate. Nine bank unions are also supporting the strike.
Who has called the strike: The strike has been called jointly by the Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh (BMS), All India Trade union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC) and other affiliated organisations.
So what does this mean for you?
No banks: Nine employee unions in banks are participating in the strike and workers who are members are set to stay away from work. What this could mean is a lot of your state owned banks could be shut thanks to this strike. However, if you have an account with a private bank or internet banking and aren’t in a city that has long power cuts, you may be able to manage your financial needs without needing to visit the branch. However, cheques and other transactions may not be cleared instantly.
No BSNL, MTNL, gas, etc: Gas cylinder was to arrive tomorrow? Make alternate arrangements or ask your neighbour if you can mooch off them for a couple of days. All services ranging from gas deliveries, insurance offices, telephone services and post will not be available for the next couple of days.
Trains to remain operational: Indian Railways should be functioning normally with no cancellation of trains. However, don’t be surprised if your train is running later than expected if protesters choose to block tracks. In Mumbai, the arterial suburban train service is expected to function normally. In Delhi, metro rail services are expected to remain unaffected.
Auto rickshaws largely to stay on roads: In many parts of the country the ubiquitous three wheeler may stay off the road barring states in which the bandh has been opposed. In Mumbai, some auto-rickshaws could stay off the roads but will be in smaller numbers nonetheless. In Kolkata, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vowing to ensure the state does not grind to a halt, you might just get your autorickshaw tomorrow. In many other states and cities, however, they may stay off the roads.
State bus services to remain operational: State transport busesare expected to function normally with few employee’s unions affiliated with the unions that have organised the strike. In metros like Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata bus services are expected to remain operational.
Taxis to remain operational in most major cities: Taxi services in metros are expected to function normally during both days of the strike. In Mumbai the largest union has said it will not back the strike and fleet taxi services are also expected to remain operational.
Hospitals won’t shut doors to patients: State run and private hospitals are expected to remain functional through both days of the bandh.
Industry body Assocham today urged central trade unions to call off the two-day strike starting Wednesday saying that the economy would take a hit of Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore due to disruptions.
“The national economy, battling slowdown, can ill-afford this situation. In fact, the strike would aggravate the price situation because of disruption in the supply line of essential commodities,” Assocham president Rajkumar Dhoot said in a statement.
Dhoot said the strike would cripple mostly service sector like banking, insurance and transport, besides industrial production. Even the agriculture sector would be affected as the movement of vegetables, a highly perishable item, would be disrupted.
The chamber estimated the loss based on the daily erosion of about 30-40 percent of the gross domestic product for two days.
As per the advanced estimates of the CSO, the national GDP for the current financial year is projected to be about Rs 95 lakh crore.
In other words, it is Rs 26,000 crore per day and Rs 52,000 crore for two days. Of this, the strike would take its toll on at least 30 to 40 percent of the two days’ GDP, equivalent to Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore, Assocham said.
The chamber predicted that states like West Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka and parts of Uttar Pradesh are likely to be affected significantly.
Besides, banking operations including cheque clearance and some segments of the financial markets would take a hit. Moreover, disruption in railways and other public transport in major cities would hit the movement of the workforce and cargo operations at the ports.
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