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Title : Demonstration in Delhi by State Government employees for their demands on ‘Right to Work’ and amendments to payment of Bonus Act.
SHRI SURAVARAM SUDHAKAR REDDY (NALGONDA): Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, thank you very much.
I would like to bring to the attention of the Government that several thousands of State Government employees under the banner of their National Federation marched to Delhi today and organised a massive rally before Parliament. Their main demand is restoration of the right to strike and their demands include amendment to the Bonus Act to remove the restrictions.
The right to strike is a fundamental right. Of course, that is the last weapon. Several hon. Members in this august House from different political parties pleaded for restoration of the right to strike. After the Supreme Court’s judgement that there is no right to strike for Government employees as part of the right of collective bargaining in the background of the Tamil Nadu Government’s unprecedented decision to sack and suspend lakhs of striking Government employees, a frightening atmosphere has developed. This right should be re-established. Strike and other forms of agitation are part of the democracy. This will reflect the problems of different sections of the society that will strengthen our democracy. It will not weaken the democracy. I would request the hon. Prime Minister to consider this justifiable demand of the Government employees and take a positive action as this has got support of different sections of the society.
SHRI A. KRISHNASWAMY (SRIPERUMBUDUR): Sir, I also associate.
SHRI C.K. CHANDRAPPAN (TRICHUR): Sir, I also associate.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: You are allowed.