TRIVANDRUM, 7 August — Life came to a halt in the southern state of Kerala yesterday after 10 major trade unions called a 24-hour general strike to protest sweeping labor reforms and privatization in the state.
The strike, called by nine leftist unions and the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), began midnight Monday. Except for public utilities all sectors were affected.
Police have been maintaining a strong vigil since Monday night. Only minor skirmishes were reported. Security has been tightened at the three international airports and major railway stations.
The strike was called to protest the state’s decision to toe the central government’s line on privatizing the public sector and also against the passing of the labor bill in the Kerala Assembly. Chief Minister A.K. Antony’s office said so far there had been no untoward incidents at all. “Attendance in the state secretariat is down, but all the ministers, including the chief minister, were there in office today,” an official said.
Except for two-wheelers, neither private nor state-owned vehicles operated, badly hitting the commuters. Trains, however, did operate. Marriage parties and hospital vehicles too were allowed to ply.
State Planning Board member C.P. John said that the strike was acceptable. “Don’t workers have the right to protest? Besides the positive side is that no violence has been reported anywhere.” Striking worker’s across the state took out processions and sat in protest, shouting anti-government slogans in front of administrative offices.
Kerala has introduced sweeping labor reforms that will crack down on militant trade unions. The reforms are intended to encourage investment in the state.
