Vizag Steel unions call for work stoppage on March 25 demanding repeal of privatisation move

Workers' protests have received widespread support from the public and political parties in Andhra Pradesh

Vizag Steel Plant worker unions have served a strike notice to the management on Thursday, calling for a work stoppage on or after March 25.

The strike notice is in continuation of the protests led by the employees of the Navaratna PSU against the Centre's bid to privatize the 7.3 MTPA capacity plant in Visakhapatnam.

Their protests have received widespread support from the public and political parties in Andhra Pradesh.

On Wednesday, Telangana's IT and industries minister KT Rama Rao and Telugu megastar K Chiranjeevi extended their support to the protests to retain the unit within the public sector.

In the notice, VSP unions organized under the banner 'Visakha Ukku Parirakshana Porata Committee' demanded that the approval accorded by the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) for 100 per cent disinvestment in Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (VSP), should be repealed.

Read | KTR extends TRS's support to Vizag Steel protests; says BJP capable of even privatising state governments

VUPPC demanded the “scrapping of the inter-secretaries group constituted to study the strategic sale and also the MoU signed with POSCO in October 2019 for a JVC for construction of an integrated steel plant”.

The unions also want “the suspension of recently concluded MoU with NBCC on redevelopment and monetization of the land parcels at Maddilapalem (in Vizag city).” A demand is made for permanent employment of the left out eligible persons.

Protests in Visakhapatnam have intensified since Monday when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed in the Lok Sabha that the Narendra Modi government would go ahead with VSP sale.

The FM claimed that disinvestment will result in higher production, productivity and an expansion of direct and indirect employment opportunities.

“While deciding the terms and conditions of the strategic sale, legitimate concerns of the existing employees and other stakeholders are suitably addressed through appropriate provisions made in the Share Purchase Agreement,” Sitharaman said.

Following the statement, Andhra Pradesh CM Jaganmohan Reddy has sought an appointment with the PM to explain the alternative options to revive the plant.