Strike politically motivated, says minister

May 20, 2011: State Minister for Labour and Employment, Shibu Baby John today alleged that the strike called by transport workers’ unions in Kerala demanding roll back of petrol price hike, was politically motivated. Speaking to the reporters at a press meet held here on Friday, Minister reiterated and insisted that the stir was “unwarranted and unreasonable”.
The labourers are being used as a political weapon and today’s strike called by transport workers’ unions was an ideal example for this, Minister added. He further added that such unreasonable strikes will mar the development of the State.
The strike crippled mobility of people relying on public modes of transport as taxis and auto rickshaws kept off the road in most places, especially cities and towns, reports from different centres said.
Minor violence was reported in the capital city on Friday during the motor vehicle strike called by the transport workers’ unions in Kerala. A minor clash broke out between the workers of the CITU and INTUC trade unions outside the Thampanoor bus station. No other untoward incidents have been reported until now, sources said.
Trucks and other commercial vehicles operating within the state are also on strike.However, private vehicles were plying. The protest was called by Joint Coordination Committee of motor workers’ unions, affiliated to central trade unions including pro-Congress INTUC.
The unions rejected the plea of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to desist from strike in view of his government deciding to forgo the tax accruing to the state exchequer from the price increase.
 The dawn-to-dusk strike called by transport workers’ unions in Kerala demanding roll back of petrol price hike, has been total in State. The protest crippled mobility of people relying on public modes of transport as taxis and auto rickshaws kept off the road in most places, especially cities and towns, reports from different centres said.
Minor violence was reported in the capital city on Friday during the motor vehicle strike called by the transport workers’ unions in Kerala. A minor clash broke out between the workers of the CITU and INTUC trade unions outside the Thampanoor bus station. No other untoward incidents have been reported until now, sources said.
Trucks and other commercial vehicles operating within the state are also on strike.However, private vehicles were plying. The protest was called by Joint Coordination Committee of motor workers’ unions, affiliated to central trade unions including pro-Congress INTUC.
The unions rejected the plea of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to desist from strike in view of his government deciding to forgo the tax accruing to the state exchequer from the price increase.

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