Industrialists, economists slam frequent strikes
As West Bengal slipped into yet another unproductive day Tuesday, thanks to a national strike called by trade unions, industrialists and economists felt that such shutdowns only inconvenienced people and led to loss of business.
Sanjay Budhia, chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Committee on Exports, told IANS: "Bandhs (shutdowns) mean loss of business (both present and future), loss of face and a lot of inconvenience." He said: "With due respect to all the political parties, ultimately in democracy discussion and debate should decide the destiny."
The Left trade unions and the INTUC have jointly called the 24-hour strike across the country to protest against the government economic policies. The strike has disrupted normal life, with air and road traffic severely hit, in Left-ruled West Bengal.
Budhia said the loss of business due to the strike cannot be quantified as it has a multiplier effect on the economy. "In business, either you grow or you go." Economist Abhirup Sarkar echoed similar concerns. Sarkar told IANS: "Bandh (shutdown) is a lousy policy. No one wants a bandh."
Sarkar said that strikes were detrimental to workers' interests as daily wage earners cannot recover what they lose on a particular day. "So they are the worst sufferers. Because of these recurrent strikes in the state, investors feel apprehensive." Moinak Das, a student in his mid 20s, felt all strikes should stop. "At the end of the day it does not benefit anybody. It simply spoils a working day."
Anupurba Roy, a teacher in her mid 30s, was scathing in her criticism of political leaders for allowing such disruptive activities. "People who support strikes and shutdowns should understand that they are being made victims by vested interests."
