Ranchi, July 31: In a letter to Ministry of Coal from all 5 Central Trade Unions, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) proposed one day strike on 18 August 2020 against the 6 demands listed in letter, in all coal mine of Coal India & its subsidiary and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). The decision of strike was taken in a virtual meeting held on July 15, 2020.
In an exclusive interview with CoalNet, S.Q. Zama, Secretary General Indian National Mineworkers Federation (INMF), INTUC said, “We are completely against commercial coal mining and they strongly oppose government decisions. And for this we are going to strike on 18th August across all CIL subsidiaries and SCCL. We have also written a letter in this regard after having a virtual meeting with all 5 Central trade Unions.”
Also, in an interview, Lakhan Lal Mahto, General Secretary of United Coal Workers' Union (AITUC), said "To privatize coal mining is to sell the nation."
He further added, “Coal India in the public sector can produce the required coal and there is no need of privatizing. He further added that the Government is afraid to give the exact gap value between demand and supply of coal. India imports about 200 million tonnes coking coal whereas only 50 million tonnes of coking coal produced in India, so, despite commercial coal mining India will have to import coking coal to meet the demand.”
The Major demands listed in the letter are, proposed auction for commercial mining of coal blocks should be dismissed, disinvestment and buy-back of Coal India shares should be stopped and any movement or steps taken to weaken Coal India and Singareni Collieries Company Limited should be stopped immediately, the proposal to separate CMPDIL from Coal India should be stopped, for contract laborers in Coal India and Singareni Collieries Company Limited; ensure implementation of salary payment as prescribed by High Power Committee of Coal India, ensure implementation of Section 9.3.0 / 9.4.0 / 9.5.0 of Coal Wage Agreements and in the strike of 2nd to 4th July, 2020, action must be taken against those officers of CIL who showcased hyperactivity.
