Ten major trade unions except BMS decided to observe July 23 as protest day against Central Government’s decision to bring corporatization in Defence production and Ordnance factories. The joint declaration was signed by INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC. The trade unions accused the BJP led Central Government for bringing privatization through the backdoor and objected to bringing of 100% foreign direct investment in the defence production sector.
“The Central Trade Unions expressed serious concern and voiced their condemnation of hastily promulgation of the Essential Defence Service Ordinance by the Central Government, meant to brutally suppress the rising discontent and anger among the defence production employees. The Ordinance bans the right to strike in defence production sector.
It has various draconian penal provisions extending even beyond strike.