PANJIM: Goa Convention of Workers (GCW) on Friday marched in protest against anti-labour polices of the Union government in Panjim as a part of nationwide strike called by labour unions across the country.
Life remained largely unaffected in Goa, but some banks, industries and insurance companies remained closed for the day.
GCW, an umbrella organization of trade unions, held a protest march in the city starting from Kranti circle culminating at Azad Maidan. “More than three thousand people participated in the march,” GCW Convener Suhas Naik said.
He said the normal life remained unaffected as the call was for strike and not bandh. “We had not asked other sectors to participate in the strike. It is not all Goa bandh. There is a difference between strike and bandh,” Naik said.
The unions are demanding with the union government to stop the process of amending the existing labour laws, withdraw Road Transport Safety Bill, Stop disinvestment of central public sector undertakings and FDI in defence, railways retail trade, insurance, banks, insurance and other financial sectors.
They are also demanding revision in minimum wages for all schedules of employment with linkage to dearness allowance.
The unions are also demanding to abolish contract labour system in all perennial and permanent jobs operations in government and private establishments.
