INTUC seeks PM's help to function effectively

"The management in connivance with the Communist-led unions is not allowing the INTUC unions to function in the banking and insurance industry. They are harassing the office bearers of INTUC unions, by transferring, victimising and other means," INTUC president G Sanjeeva Reddy has said in a memorandum to the prime minister.

He said this type of "step-motherly attitude of the management" has badly affected the INTUC union and urged Singh to "instruct the management" that they should avoid "victimising" its office bearers and members.

Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), which is a Congress affiliate, said that in banking and insurance industry the trade union movement is "predominantly" controlled by the "Communist-led unions". In the memorandum, Reddy suggested that representative of the INTUC "may be appointed as social worker director in the banking and insurance Industry".

He also urged the prime minister to instruct banking and insurance industry management to "derecognise" those unions which go for "illegal" strikes or agitations. Prime Minister had on Saturday asked the Labour Ministry to form a group to examine how to address the problems being faced by workers due to global economic slowdown.

The direction to the Labour Ministry was given after Singh met a delegation of INTUC led by Reddy. The delegation submitted a 15-point memorandum to the Prime Minister and impressed upon him to ensure that workers get their fair share and are protected against problems arising due to slowdown in growth.